Deactivation from Transportation Network Company Digital Networks:
SB 1680 would amend Florida’s transportation network company law to regulate how companies deactivate drivers from their digital platforms. The bill defines “deactivation” as revoking a driver’s access to the TNC network so the driver can no longer accept rides, and it specifies that deactivation may occur for reasons such as poor rider ratings, violations of company safety or other policies, or failure to meet vehicle or insurance requirements.
The bill would require every TNC to adopt and maintain a clear written deactivation policy that includes an appeal process for drivers. It also requires TNCs to contract with a nonprofit organization experienced with diverse populations to help drivers navigate appeals, and to decide appeals within 30 days. In deciding an appeal, the company must assess whether the evidence shows the driver more likely than not violated company policy. Drivers would also be allowed to appeal a deactivation to a mutually agreed third-party arbitrator affiliated with the American Arbitration Association, with a fallback selection process if the parties cannot agree. The bill expressly preserves a driver’s ability to bring a court action related to the deactivation.
The bill would add a new subsection to section 627.748, Florida Statutes, governing transportation network companies such as rideshare platforms. It would impose procedural requirements on TNCs regarding driver deactivations, including written policies, appeal timelines, nonprofit assistance, arbitration access, and evidentiary review standards. It would also create a statutory definition of deactivation and clarify that the new process does not eliminate a driver’s right to sue in court.
The available record shows no committee transcripts or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge broad sentiment. Based on the bill text, the proposal appears aimed at providing drivers with more due process and transparency in deactivation decisions, suggesting a consumer- and worker-protection orientation. The bill ultimately died in the Senate Transportation committee, indicating it did not advance despite being filed.
The likely points of contention are the bill’s added obligations on transportation network companies and the extent to which it limits company discretion over driver access to the platform. TNCs may object to mandatory appeal procedures, nonprofit contracting requirements, arbitration provisions, and the 30-day decision deadline as burdensome or costly. Driver advocates, by contrast, would likely support the bill’s appeal rights, written-policy requirement, and independent review mechanisms as protections against arbitrary deactivation.