Hundreds of women in government, including the minority leader of the South Dakota Senate, are protesting legislation that would shield rideshare services in sexual assault claims. Lawmakers have added the policy as an amendment to the “Build America 250 Act,” the federal transportation spending bill. South Dakota Senate Minority Leader Liz Larson says it’s disappointing and moves in the wrong direction.
“We, not just as men or women, but just as a society, need to think of the pathways forward that are fair and equitable in terms of holding people accountable for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Larson.
Larson joined more than 280 women governing in 44 different states in signing a letter to U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson, asking him to strike the amendment from the transportation bill. If it stands, the amendment would limit liability for app-based ride share and delivery services when a passenger or driver is sexually assaulted when using their platforms, raising safety concerns. Proponents say the legislation is necessary to protect these companies from frivolous lawsuits.
The letter to Speaker Johnson cites a New York Times investigation from last year that reported more than 400-thousand Uber trips that led to reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. Larson says this amendment is an example of prioritizing corporate rights over individual rights and would put passengers and drivers in danger.
“You don’t want to think that those services can be dangerous, but there is a risk every time that you get in, and that risk is a lot greater for women. So I just think we need to be real about that,” Larson said.
More than 125 members of the U-S House sent their own letter to the speaker, calling the amendment devastating. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee adopted the amendment in May by a 35 to 30 vote. The transportation bill is awaiting consideration on the House floor.
Thanks Greater Dakota News Service