Transportation network companies and taxicabs: sex offenders.

(1) Existing law requires every city or county to adopt an ordinance or resolution regarding taxicab transportation service, including, but not limited to, provisions for a policy for the entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service and for the employment, or an offer of employment, as a taxicab driver in the local jurisdiction, including compliance with specified requirements. This bill would prohibit a taxicab transportation service operator from hiring or retaining a driver who is required by law to register as a sex offender. (2) The Passenger Charter-party Carriers' Act defines a transportation network company as an organization, whether a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or other form, operating in California that provides prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled platform to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles. A transportation network company is subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission, is required to have a specified certificate or permit, as appropriate, from the commission, and is subject to various other requirements. A violation of the act is generally a misdemeanor. This bill would prohibit a transportation network company from hiring, contracting with, employing, or continuing to employ a driver who is required by law to register as a sex offender. Because a violation of this provision would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. (4) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.