Establishes provisions protecting transportation network companies from vicarious liability

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how TNCs must ensure drivers are not negligent or breaking criminal laws before allowing them to use the app.

Protecting Ride-Share Companies from Liability

This act protects transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft from being held responsible for accidents caused by their drivers, provided TNCs follow certain rules.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new law stating that TNCs cannot be held vicariously liable for harm resulting from the use of vehicles operating as TNC vehicles while logged onto the digital network if they comply with specified obligations and there is no negligence or criminal wrongdoing on their part.

Who It Names or Affects

• Transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft

Terms To Know

vicarious liability

When one person or company is held responsible for the actions of another, even if they did not directly cause harm.

digital network

The online system that connects riders and drivers through apps like Uber or Lyft.

Limits and Unknowns

• Only applies to situations where TNCs comply with specified obligations and there is no negligence or criminal wrongdoing on their part.
• Does not cover all types of liability, only vicarious liability under certain conditions.

Official Summary Text

Establishes provisions protecting transportation network companies from vicarious liability

Current Bill Text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1648
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE OVERCAST .
5465H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o amend chapter 387, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to transportation
network companies.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 387, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 387.435, to read as follows:
387.435. A TNC shall not be vicariously liable under any law by r eason of
2 owning, operating, or maintaining the digital network accessed by a TNC driver or
3 rider , or by being the TNC affiliated with a TNC driver , for harm to persons or pr operty
4 that res ults or arises out of the use, operation, or possession of a motor vehicle operating
5 as a TNC vehicle while the driver is logged on to the digital network if:
6 (1) There is no negligence under sections 387.400 to 387.440 or criminal
7 wr ongdoing under the federal or Missouri criminal code on the part of the TNC; and
8 (2) The TNC has fulfilled all of its obligations under sections 387.400 to 387.440
9 with res pect to the TNC driver .
✔
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.