A2305

An Act concerning notices to riders of certain transportation services and amending various parts of statutory law.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 8 of P.L.2017, c.26 (C.39:5H-8) is amended to read as follows:

8. A transportation network company shall provide to a transportation network company rider on its [website or] digital network, prior to the rider entering the driver’s personal vehicle:

a. a picture of the transportation network company driver that is to provide the prearranged ride and the license plate number of the driver's personal vehicle that is to be used to provide the prearranged ride [prior to the rider entering the driver's personal vehicle]; and

b. a notice that informs the rider that a video recording device may be in use in the driver’s personal vehicle during the prearranged ride for the safety of the driver and rider.

(cf: P.L.2017, c.26, s.8)

2. Section 9 of P.L.2017, c.26 (C.39:5H-9) is amended to read as follows:

9. Within 48 hours following completion of a prearranged ride, a transportation network company shall provide a transportation network company rider with an electronic receipt which shall include:

a. the points of origin and destination of the prearranged ride;

b. the total time and distance of the prearranged ride;

c. an itemization of the total fare paid, if any; [and]

d. the surcharge imposed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2018, c.47 (C.39:5H-4.1); and

e. a notice that informs the rider that a video recording device may have been in use during the prearranged ride while the rider was in the driver’s personal vehicle for the safety of the driver and rider.

(cf: P.L.2018, c.47, s.2)

3. Section 4 of P.L.2011, c.135 (C.48:16-2.4) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. The owner of an autocab shall cause to be displayed on the body of the vehicle the taxi license number issued to that vehicle. The number shall be three inches in height and located in the center of the rear quarter panels on the driver and passenger sides and the rear center line of the trunk of the vehicle. Each autocab shall display on each rear door of the autocab the name of the municipality or municipalities which has issued the autocab a taxi license in letters three inches in height.

b. The owner of an autocab shall cause to be displayed on the rear driver and passenger side windows a notice that informs the passenger that a video recording device may be in use during the trip provided by the autocab operator for the safety of the operator and the passenger.

The notice shall be furnished by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and shall be in a form and manner prescribed by the chief administrator.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.135, s.4)

4. Section 11 of P.L.1999, c.356 (C.48:16-22.1) is amended to read as follows:

11. [No] A limousine shall not be operated on the highways of this State unless it has a license issued pursuant to R.S.48:16-17 and the limousine is equipped, in accordance with minimum standards established by the [Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation] Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, with:

a. a two-way communications system, which, at a minimum, shall provide for communication to a person outside the vehicle for a distance of not less than 100 miles and which requirement may be satisfied by a mobile telephone;

b. a removable first-aid kit and an operable fire extinguisher, which shall be placed in an accessible place within the vehicle;

c. sideboards attached to the permanent body construction of the vehicle if the height of the vehicle floor is 10 inches or more above ground level; and

d. a notice, displayed inside of the limousine, that informs the passenger that a video recording device may be in use during the trip provided by the limousine operator for the safety of the operator and the passenger.

The notice required pursuant to subsection d. of this section shall be furnished by the chief administrator, in a form and manner prescribed by the chief administrator.

(cf: P.L.1999, c.356, s.11)

5. a. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment.

b. Sections 3 of this act shall take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment and shall apply to every owner of an autocab who renews the motor vehicle registration of the autocab or causes the autocab to submit to a motor vehicle inspection on or after the date of enactment.

c. Sections 4 of this act shall take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment and shall apply to every owner of a limousine who renews the motor vehicle registration of the limousine or causes the limousine to submit to a motor vehicle inspection on or after the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill requires the owners and operators of taxis and limousines and transportation network companies (TNCs), that provide prearranged ride services, to provide a notice that informs the passenger that a video recording device may be in use during the trip for the safety of the operator and the passenger.

Under the bill, TNCs are to provide the notice to the rider on the digital network of the TNC prior to the prearranged ride and on the electronic receipt of the prearranged ride within 48 hours of the completion of the prearranged ride. An autocab operator is to display the notice on the rear driver and passenger side windows. A limousine operator is to display the notice inside of the limousine. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is to furnish the owners of autocabs and limousines with the notice that is required to be displayed pursuant to the bill.

The provisions of the bill concerning the notice required to be provided by TNCs is to take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment. The provisions of the bill concerning the notice to be provided by the operators of autocabs and limousines is to take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month following enactment and is to apply to all owners of those vehicles, who renew the motor vehicle registration or submit to a motor vehicle inspection, on or after the date of enactment.