House Transportation Committee Advances Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act

On September 15, 2024, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act (H.R. 3356). This bill, introduced by Representative Graves of Louisiana, focuses on modernizing and improving the safety screening process for motor carriers.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The bill updates Section 31150 of the United States Code, making changes that aim to enhance transparency and efficiency in safety performance screening for both preemployment and employment checks. Here are the major provisions:

  • Expanded Screening: The act adds “employment” checks in addition to “preemployment” checks for motor carriers. This means employers will have access to more comprehensive safety performance data when making hiring and employment decisions.
  • DataQ Improvements: The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that any contested safety violation is labeled as such in the Motor Carrier Management Information System and other relevant databases until the violation review is complete. This helps ensure that motor carriers aren’t unfairly penalized for violations still under dispute.
  • DataQ Appeals Process: The act introduces an appeals process for motor carriers, allowing them to contest unfavorable decisions regarding safety violation reviews. Appeals must be adjudicated by an independent party, ensuring that the review is fair and impartial.

Why This Matters for Motor Carriers

For motor carriers, this bill introduces important changes that could impact hiring practices and safety reporting. By including employment data alongside preemployment checks, motor carriers will have access to a broader range of safety information when reviewing applicants. This could lead to more informed hiring decisions and better oversight of drivers’ safety records.

The DataQ improvements also address a long-standing issue in the industry: contested safety violations remaining on record during a dispute. With this bill, such violations will be clearly marked as contested, potentially preventing damage to a motor carrier’s safety reputation while a review is underway.

Finally, the appeals process offers a structured pathway for carriers to challenge data review outcomes, which can be a game-changer for those dealing with disputed safety violations.

What’s Next?

The bill has now moved out of committee and will go to the full House of Representatives for consideration. If passed, the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act will bring much-needed reforms to the screening and safety performance review process for motor carriers, helping to ensure that the data used to make employment decisions is accurate and up-to-date.

For more updates on the bill’s progress and what it means for the trucking industry, stay tuned to Freight Relocators for the latest news.

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