,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ahga ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #ac1 #bjai,mr4 ,cardin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 and ,mr4 ,menendez7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 to compel ,states to require illuminated signs and other measures on ride-hailing vehicles1 to require transportation network companies to implement an electronic access system on ride-hailing vehicles1 to prohibit the sale of such signs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as ,sami's ,law4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the terms machine-readable code or image1 personal mobile device1 ,,qr code1 ,,tnc driver1 ,,tnc platform1 ,,tnc vehicle1 trade dress1 and transportation network company have the meanings given those terms in section #aga7;a7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 #c4 ,sanctions for ,states without transportation network company vehicle identification laws 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #a of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #aga4 ,sanctions for ,states without transportation network company vehicle identification laws 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,machine-readable code or image ,the term machine-readable code or image means a machine-readable optical label that-- 7,a7 is unique to each ,,tnc driver and the vehicle of the ,,tnc driver2 and 7,b7 can be scanned using a special scanner or a personal mobile device with a built-in camera4 7#b7 ,personal mobile device ,the term personal mobile device means any mobile device that an individual uses to connect to a ,,tnc platform4 7#c7 ,,qr code ,the term ,,qr code means a machine-readable code or image that-- 7,a7 is also known as a quick response code2 and 7,b7 consists of a matrix or #b-;dimensional barcode4 7#d7 ,,tnc driver ,the term ,,tnc driver means an individual who is employed or contracted by a transportation network company to provide transportation services to the public through a ,,tnc platform4 7#e7 ,,tnc platform ,the term ,,tnc platform means an online-enabled application or digital network used to connect passengers with drivers using vehicles for the purpose of providing prearranged transportation services for compensation4 7#f7 ,,tnc vehicle ,the term ,,tnc vehicle means a vehicle of a ,,tnc driver that the ,,tnc driver uses to provide ,,tnc services 7also known as a ride-hailing vehicle74 7#g7 ,trade dress ,the term trade dress means anything designed or used to promote or signify a transportation network company or a vehicle used to provide transportation services to the public1 such as the logo of the company1 and includes the color1 shape1 size1 or any other feature that makes the presentation of the service distinctive4 7#h7 ,transportation network company ,the term transportation network company means a company that uses an online-enabled application platform or digital network to connect passengers with drivers using personal1 noncommercial vehicles of the drivers to provide transportation services4 7b7 ,withholding of funds for noncompliance 7#a7 ,first fiscal year ,on ,october #a of second full fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall withhold #a percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a ,state under each of paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #ajd7;b7 for that fiscal year if the ,state is not in compliance with subsection 7c7 on that date4 7#b7 ,subsequent fiscal years ,on ,october #a of the third full fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this section1 and each ,october #a thereafter1 the ,secretary shall withhold #b4e percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a ,state under each of paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #ajd7;b7 for that fiscal year if the ,state is not in compliance with subsection 7c7 on that date4 7#c7 ,effect of withholding of funds ,no funds withheld under this section from an apportionment to a ,state shall be available to that ,state4 7c7 ,requirements ,a ,state shall be in compliance with this subsection if the ,state has in effect the following laws with respect to transportation network companies operating in that ,state3 7#a7 ,front and rear license plates ,a law requiring that each ,,tnc vehicle display a ,state-issued license plate on both the front and rear of the vehicle4 7#b7 ,inspection and signage requirements ,a law requiring ,,tnc drivers to present ,,tnc vehicles for inspection by not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of that law1 or1 in the case of a ,state that already has in effect a law that meets the requirements of this paragraph1 not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 and annually thereafter1 including each of the following3 7,a7 ,a provision requiring each ,,tnc driver to affix a sticker with a machine-readable code or image1 provided to that driver pursuant to section #d7;b77#b7 of ,sami's ,law1 on each window of the vehicle of the ,,tnc driver adjacent to where passengers may sit4 7,b7 ,a provision that prohibits a ,,tnc driver from providing ,,tnc services if the ,,tnc vehicle does not pass the inspection4 7,c7 ,a provision that requires periodic safety inspections of the ,,tnc vehicle performed at intervals of not less frequently than once each year4 7,d7 ,a provision that requires1 at all times when the ,,tnc driver is active on the ,,tnc platform or providing any ,,tnc service1 each ,,tnc vehicle to display a consistent and distinctive signage or emblem that-- 7i7 is recognized as a trade dress for the transportation network company2 7ii7 is readable during daylight hours at a distance of #ej feet2 7iii7 includes an illuminated transportation network company sign that displays the proprietary trademark or logo of the company that is patently visible so as to be seen in darkness2 and 7iv7 may be magnetic or removable in nature4 7#c7 ,unlawful display ,a law providing that an individual who is not a ,,tnc driver may be charged with a misdemeanor for displaying the illuminated sign described in paragraph 7#b77;,d77iii7 on any vehicle with the intent to impersonate a ,,tnc driver operating a ,,tnc vehicle4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the analysis for chapter #a of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #aga4 ,sanctions for ,states without transportation network company vehicle identification laws 4 #d4 ,access and other requirements for transportation network company vehicles and transportation network companies 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 each transportation network company shall-- 7#a7 establish and implement a system that requires-- 7,a7 each individual who uses the ,,tnc platform of a transportation network company to verify the identity of the ,,tnc driver assigned to the individual via the ,,tnc platform for the trip2 and 7,b7 that ,,tnc driver to confirm the identity of the individual prior to the beginning of a trip4 7b7 ,inclusions ,a system under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 a machine-readable code or image that is unique to each ,,tnc driver and the vehicle of the ,,tnc driver1 such as a ,,qr code or a successor technology1 that can be scanned by the individual hailing the driver1 using a personal mobile device with a built-in camera2 7#b7 forward-facing window stickers containing the machine-readable code or image described in paragraph 7#a7 that shall be provided to each ,,tnc driver2 7#c7 the ability1 via the ,,tnc platform of the transportation network company-- 7,a7 to provide to each individual who is assigned a ,,tnc driver the unique machine-readable code or image of that driver2 and 7,b7 to provide a means by which that individual may scan the machine-readable code or image displayed on the window sticker of the ,,tnc vehicle1 using the ,,tnc platform on the personal mobile device of the individual1 to confirm the identity of the ,,tnc driver who is assigned to the individual prior to entering the vehicle2 and 7#d7 policies or procedures that-- 7,a7 restrict each ,,tnc driver from commencing a trip until the individual who has requested the trip successfully verifies the identity of the ,,tnc driver by scanning the machine-readable code or image2 7,b7 prohibit a ,,tnc driver from providing ,,tnc services if the ,,tnc vehicle or ,,tnc driver is not in compliance with this section2 7,c7 require a periodic safety inspection of the ,,tnc vehicle performed at intervals of not less frequently than once each year2 and 7,d7 require each ,,tnc vehicle1 at all times when the ,,tnc driver is active on the ,,tnc platform or providing any ,,tnc service1 to display a consistent and distinctive signage or emblem that-- 7i7 is recognized as a trade dress for the transportation network company2 7ii7 is readable during daylight hours at a distance of #ej feet2 7iii7 includes an illuminated transportation network company sign displaying the proprietary trademark or logo of the company that is patently visible so as to be seen in darkness2 and 7iv7 may be magnetic or removable in nature4 7c7 ,signage policy ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 each transportation network company shall implement a policy to require that any illuminated signage described in section #aga7;c77#b77;,d77iii7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 be returned to the transportation network company when a ,,tnc driver ceases to be employed or contracted by the company4 #e4 ,prohibition on sale of transportation network company signage ,it shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any illuminated sign described in section #aga7;c77#b77;,d77iii7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 #f4 ,unfair or deceptive act or practice 7a7 ,in general ,a violation of section #d or section #e shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section #ah7;a77#a77;,b7 of the ,federal ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #eg;a7a77#a77;,b774 7b7 ,powers of ,federal ,trade ,commission 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,trade ,commission shall enforce sections #d and #e in the same manner1 by the same means1 and with the same jurisdiction1 powers1 and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the ,federal ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #da et seq47 were incorporated into and made a part of such sections4 7#b7 ,privileges and immunities ,any person who violates section #d or section #e shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the ,federal ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #da et seq474 #g4 ,,gao study on the incidence of assault and abuse of transportation network company passengers and drivers ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 conduct a study on the incidence of assault and abuse perpetrated on drivers by passengers using ,,tnc vehicles1 and on passengers by drivers of ,,tnc vehicles1 including an examination of-- 7,a7 incidences in which individuals who are not ,,tnc drivers attempt to pose as ,,tnc drivers2 7,b7 incidences of passengers who hailed a ride through a ,,tnc platform entering the wrong vehicle1 whether or not the vehicle was a ,,tnc vehicle2 7,c7 efforts by transportation network companies1 ,states1 and local governments to implement additional safety measures1 practices1 and requirements1 and the efficacy of those measures1 practices1 and requirements2 and 7,d7 the nature and specifics of any background checks conducted by transportation network companies on potential ,,tnc drivers1 including any ,state laws that may require such background checks2 and 7#b7 submit to ,congress a report on the results of the study under paragraph 7#a7 by not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act4