Colorado Democrats push for stricter background checks for Lyft, Uber drivers

Yahoo

28-02-2025

Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat, speaks about the Transportation Network Company Consumer Protection Act at the Colorado Capitol on Feb. 28, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)
A Colorado lawmaker is calling for stricter safety provisions on ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft one year after she said she was sexually assaulted by a driver.
Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat, is sponsoring a consumer protection bill that would require stronger background checks, driver identity verification and video recording during the drive.
'For too long, (transportation network companies) like Uber and Lyft have operated with virtually no accountability. They control the platform. They set the rules,' she said. 'But when something goes wrong and someone gets hurt, when lives are shattered and forever changed, they deflect. They pretend it isn't their problem, and they dodge responsibility.'
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The bill, which is set to be introduced soon, will also be sponsored by Rep. Meg Froelich of Englewood, Sen. Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge and Sen. Faith Winter of Westminster, all Democrats.
They announced the bill during a Friday morning press conference surrounded by about a dozen colleagues holding signs that read 'One sexual assault is too many' and 'Rideshare safety now.'
Willford sued Lyft earlier this year over an alleged sexual assault that occurred last February. The driver who picked her up was using someone else's account, Willford said, made inappropriate comments during the drive and assaulted her a short distance from her home.
The bill, according to draft text, would require a series of increased safety measures for ride-sharing drivers to become authorized. They would need to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history record check, a higher standard than the current name-only background checks ride-sharing companies currently prefer. Those checks would be required every six months.
Taxi and limousine drivers in Colorado are currently required to undergo a fingerprint background check.
Ride-sharing drivers in New York City must submit fingerprints, and a Boston city councilor is calling for a similar requirement after a recent alleged sexual assault in the city.
The bill 'requires real background checks, not the easily manipulated name-based ones that these companies rely on, but fingerprint-based screenings, like we require in every other safety critical industry that work with vulnerable populations, because you cannot fake fingerprints,' Willford said.
Additionally, drivers would need to prove that they are the one connected to the approved account when they pick up a rider, either through an in-vehicle dashboard camera, live selfie, biometric verification or other method that 'effectively verifies' their identity.
The bill would also require continuous audio and video recording during rides, with an opt-out provision. A 2024 survey from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that about 37% of people consider security cameras in taxis and rideshares to be very important to safety.
It would also set standards for the timeline and type of data and information a ride-sharing company would need to provide in the event of a public utilities commission complaint or request from law enforcement.
'This legislation will demand transparency, requiring TNCs to track and report violent incidents and to provide critical evidence to survivors and law enforcement within 24 hours, not weeks or months later. It will ensure that drivers who commit crimes or violate these protections never drive again,' Willford said.
Finally, ride-sharing companies would need to submit an annual report to the state about reported instances of assault, stalking, harassment, murder or car accidents on the platform.
Willford said that if enacted, the bill would create the strongest suite of protections for riders in any state.
Neither Lyft nor Uber immediately responded to a request for comment on the legislation.
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