AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Brien and 9 co-sponsors

The bill bans under-16s from riding alone in rideshare vehicles and authorizes police to remove and hold them until reunification with a parent or guardian.

04/08/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Overview / Purpose

HB 5589 would prohibit children under age 16 from riding in a rideshare vehicle while unaccompanied. The bill targets “rideshare vehicles” that are arranged via online platforms (examples listed in the bill include Uber, Lyft, ARRO, Via, Hitch, Curb, Flywheel, Wingz, Gett, Grab, and similar services). The intent, as stated in the bill text and explanatory note, is to prohibit persons under 16 from using such point‑to‑point ride services when traveling alone.

Key provisions

Prohibition: It is unlawful for any person under 16 years of age to use a rideshare vehicle when traveling alone.

Definition/examples: Rideshare vehicles expressly include ride‑hailing services accessed via websites or online platforms; the bill lists multiple platform examples but is not limited to them.

Enforcement and custody: All state law‑enforcement officers are authorized to enforce the prohibition by removing the underage person from the vehicle and keeping the person in their custody until reunified with a parent or guardian.

No record or penalty: The bill states that no fine or sanction shall be imposed for violation of the section and that no record of the occurrence shall be maintained.

Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.

Who would be affected

Minors under 16: Prohibited from riding alone in rideshare vehicles.

Parents/guardians: May be required to arrange alternative transportation or accompany minors; may be contacted by law enforcement for reunification.

Rideshare drivers and platforms: Operational and compliance implications (age verification, rider screening, revised policies, driver instructions).

Law enforcement: Authorized to take custody of unaccompanied minors encountered in rideshare vehicles and to arrange reunification.

General public and service providers: Potential changes to access, liability exposure, and platform practices.

Procedural status & timeline

Introduced: February 26, 2025 (filed March 14, 2025).

Referred initially to House Corporations; also listed as referred to Public Education and to a Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate in legislative records.

Read first time: April 7, 2025.

Hearing scheduled: April 4, 2025 (for April 8, 2025).

Committee action: On April 8, 2025 the committee recommended the measure be held for further study (i.e., not advanced at that time).

Implementation considerations

The bill permits law enforcement custody of minors but forbids fines or records, raising operational questions about sheltering, notification, and data practices.

Platforms and drivers may need procedures for age verification or refusal of unaccompanied minors.

The bill does not specify exceptions (e.g., emancipated minors, parental authorization, accompanied by non‑parent adult), which could affect enforcement and interpretation.

Bill