Transportation Network Companies - Deactivation of Operators
SB0740 establishes a detailed set of worker-protection rules for transportation network companies (TNCs) such as rideshare platforms that deactivate drivers or other operators. The bill requires each company to maintain a written, plain-language deactivation policy, make it available online and through the app, and define serious misconduct, appeal rights, notice requirements, and the evidence standards used before deactivation. It also limits when a company may rely solely on a passenger complaint, requires notice of rights to operators, and directs the Public Service Commission to regulate the form, language, and reporting requirements for these policies and records.
The bill also creates a new statutory framework in the Public Utilities Article for deactivation investigations, appeals, record retention, and reporting to the Commission. It distinguishes ordinary deactivations from immediate action for egregious misconduct or legal compliance, and it requires companies to allow deactivated operators to withdraw pre-deactivation earnings unless those funds are tied to criminal or fraudulent conduct or withdrawal would violate law. The legislation further bars deactivation for reasons inconsistent with the company’s policy, for discriminatory reasons, or based on certain protected or unrelated factors such as availability, acceptance rates, customer ratings, or the exercise of legal rights.
SB0740 amends the Public Utilities Article to expand and clarify the regulatory obligations of transportation network companies operating in Maryland. It adds a new section governing deactivation of operators, imposes notice, investigation, appeal, disclosure, and recordkeeping duties, and authorizes the Public Service Commission to adopt implementing regulations and model notices. The bill also broadens and updates definitions related to transportation network companies, operators, and services, and it creates enforceable standards that may be used in complaints or civil actions against companies that fail to comply.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition in the recorded votes, passing the Senate 45-0 and the House 92-37 before being signed into law. The vote margins suggest general agreement with the bill’s consumer- and worker-protection goals, especially the emphasis on transparency, due process, and appeal rights for drivers. The absence of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the final legislative outcome indicates the measure was viewed favorably overall.
The main points of contention likely center on how much discretion transportation network companies retain to remove drivers and how much process is required before and after deactivation. The bill restricts deactivation based on passenger ratings, availability, or protected conduct, and it limits reliance on passenger complaints alone, which may concern companies that want flexibility to respond quickly to safety or service issues. Another likely area of debate is the scope of disclosure and record-sharing requirements, including the obligation to provide evidence supporting deactivation while protecting passenger privacy and safety. Driver advocates would favor these protections, while TNCs may view them as burdensome or as limiting platform management authority.