Rep. Suozzi Testifies on his Proposed “Sami’s Law,” Establishing Needed Protections for Ride-Share Customers Across the Country

Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) spoke before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled “Examining the Future of Transportation Network Companies: Challenges and Opportunities” on behalf of H.R. 3262, Sami’s Law. This bipartisan legislation is named in honor of Samantha “Sami” Josephson—a senior at the University of South Carolina who was kidnapped and brutally murdered earlier this year by a predator pretending to be her Uber driver.

Sami’s Law, which would establish needed protections for ride-share customers across the country, is cosponsored Suozzi and Rep. Chris Smith (NJ – 04), who represents Robbinsville, N.J. where Sami grew up and the Josephsons live. The legislation will require enhanced vehicle identification procedures to create a safer environment for ride-share drivers and customers and to make it harder for those with ill-intent from impersonating drivers.

Specifically, Sami’s Law will:

• Require a scannable QR (Quick Response) code on the vehicle window that matches the QR code on your phone and, as proposed by a disability group, an audio personal authentication number in lieu of the QR code to make sure this is the correct car before the disabled passenger enters;
• Require Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to have illuminated signs that are visible in both day and night and are readable from fifty feet.
• Require TNC drivers to have both front and back license plates. Currently, 19 states require only one plate; and
• Prohibit the sale of illuminated TNC signs and the display of such signs by individuals who are NOT drivers for a TNC company.

At today’s hearing, Rep. Suozzi told the subcommittee he was disappointed that Uber and Lyft turned down invitations to testify.

“Earlier this year, Sami Josephson called for an Uber, entered the wrong car, and was murdered. Our Smith/Suozzi bill works to provide consumers with a level of safety before entering a vehicle,” said Suozzi. “The Josephson Family is not alone. It is shocking that Uber and Lyft have not taken this seriously and refused to attend today’s hearing. We need common sense bipartisan solutions to these safety and other issues hitting this new industry.”

Suozzi’s entire testimony can be viewed here.

“The idea for the legislation came directly from the grieving parents of a young woman brutally murdered by a fake Uber driver,” said Rep. Smith. “Working with the Josephson’s, we’ve crafted a bipartisan bill that would push states to require front license plates and scannable codes, such as QR codes, on both back-passenger side windows that riders could scan on a smart device to verify their ride before entering a vehicle.”

States that do not implement the legislation’s regulations will lose one percent of their federal highway funding—a provision that is similar to the federal incentive used to motivate states to raise the drinking age to 21 and to prohibit open alcohol beverage containers in motor vehicles.

The Josephsons are also seeking to educate ride-share passengers on the best safety practices, using the acronym S-A-M-I (“Stop, Ask, Match, Inform”) to teach riders to be alert to their surroundings, ensure the car they are entering is the correct ride-share vehicle, ask the driver to identify them by name, and tell friends to track their ride.

In May and again in September, the Josephsons met with Members of Congress and staff, and Administration officials to advocate for laws and policies that would protect ride-share passengers from predators posing as drivers.