NJ Legislature passes ‘Sami’s Law’

GOV. PHIL MURPHY signed “Sami’s Law” on June 20. The new legislation is named for Samantha (Sami) Josephson of Robbinsville, who was murdered in March by a driver masquerading as an Uber affiliate. The new law mandates additional identification materials for drivers of rideshare services.

“Just one unscrupulous mind seeking to take advantage of those passengers is one too many, and it is our responsibility to keep riders safe,” said Murphy. “Today, I am proud to stand beside the Josephson family and legislative sponsors to enhance protections for New Jersey’s rideshare passengers, ensuring that Samantha Josephson’s tragic death is not in vain.”

The Josephson family made the push for additional state and national rideshare safety measures following Samantha’s death. At the time she was a senior at the University of South Carolina. Her funeral was held April 3
at Congregation Beth Chaim in West Windsor.

“We appreciate Governor Murphy accommodating us by signing the bill in Robbinsville, Samantha’s hometown,” said Marci, Seymour, and Sydney Josephson in a prepared statement. “We are proud that New Jersey has taken the lead in making rideshare safer for everyone.”

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The N.J. legislation requires rideshare companies to issue additional identification materials to drivers to help passengers correctly identify their vehicle. First, rideshare companies must issue two identifying markers to each driver to be displayed on the front windshield and rear window. Second, rideshare companies must create for each driver a barcode or other machine-readable code that passengers can scan to confirm the identity of the vehicle. Third, rideshare companies will issue placards to be displayed on rear windows that include the driver’s name, photo, and license plate number.

Drivers who fail to comply with these provisions are subject to a fine of $250. Rideshare companies that fail to comply with these provisions can have their permit to operate in New Jersey suspended or revoked. The new requirements take effect in nine months.