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12/27/2024
U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) and Brendan Doyle (D-Pa.) earlier this month introduced legislation aimed at protecting the legal rights of Amtrak riders.
The proposed "Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act" is a companion bill to a measure introduced by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in the Senate.
Currently, when a passenger buys a ticket to ride an Amtrak train, they also sign over certain rights through a broad arbitration agreement and class action waiver policy. The current policy that Amtrak implemented in 2019 captures personal injury claims, gross negligence, wrongful death and claims of discrimination, the lawmakers said in a press release.
Under their proposed legislation, the House measure would prohibit Amtrak from imposing the policy.
“Forced Arbitration — requiring people to sign away their basic right to seek justice if they are wronged — is an unjust practice,” said Deluzio, a member of the House Transportation Committee. " I ... want to make sure Amtrak is held accountable, and that riders retain their rights and power, if Amtrak messes up."
The full text of the bill is available here.