Bill > H5546

This bill establishes a comprehensive criminal background check procedure for drivers providing for-hire intrastate passenger transportation services, including taxicabs, limited public motor vehicles, public motor vehicles, and transportation network company (TNC) vehicles in Rhode Island. The bill requires drivers to undergo a national and state criminal background check involving fingerprinting, with the driver responsible for the associated costs. Certain serious criminal convictions, such as murder, sexual assault, child molestation, assault, burglary, drug offenses, and serious driving-related crimes, will be considered disqualifying information. However, drivers are not automatically barred from obtaining a background check clearance certificate if they can demonstrate rehabilitation and present fitness, with the division considering factors like time since conviction, nature of the crime, and circumstances surrounding the offense. The background check clearance certificate will be valid for five years and can be appealed if denied. The bill amends existing laws to incorporate this new background check requirement across different transportation service types, ensuring that all for-hire passenger transportation drivers undergo the same rigorous screening process. Drivers must obtain this clearance certificate in addition to their existing operator's licenses and special licenses from the division of public utilities and carriers.

Business and Industry

https://status.rilegislature.gov/