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Congress·In Committee·about 1 month ago

Congress Proposes New Protections for Truck Drivers During Safety Record Disputes

Also known as: Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill changes how trucking companies check the safety records of their drivers. Currently, these checks mostly happen when someone is first applying for a job. This new law would allow companies to check records for current employees as well, but only if the driver gives written permission first.
  • If a safety report shows a problem, a company cannot fire or punish a driver based on that information without giving them a fair warning. Drivers must be given a reasonable amount of time to appeal the information and wait for a final decision before the company can take any 'adverse action' against them.
  • The bill addresses a problem where disputed safety violations stay on a driver's record while they are being fought. The Department of Transportation would be required to clearly label these violations as 'under review' in all federal databases so they do not unfairly hurt a driver's reputation while the case is pending.
  • States would be required to set up a more independent appeals process for safety data. Under the new rules, any appeal would have to be decided by someone other than the person who issued the original violation, ensuring a more neutral and fair review for the driver.
Infrastructure TransportationLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 27, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

5 articles
FreightWaves·about 1 month ago

Bill empowers truck drivers to fight flawed safety data

The Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act aims to overhaul the appeals process within DataQs. It mandates that all appeals be decided by an independent party and requires the FMCSA to label contested violations as 'under review' to prevent them from unfairly hurting driver scores.

C+
Land Line Media·28 days ago

Will motor carrier bill provide due process?

Reps. Tracey Mann and Sharice Davids reintroduced the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act (HR7261). The bill seeks to improve due process by ensuring data challenges are adjudicated by someone other than the original issuing officer and preserving Fair Credit Reporting Act protections.

C=
FreightWaves·about 1 month ago

Congress Proposes Taking the Fox Out of the Henhouse

This analysis of the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act highlights the 'game changer' of independent review for safety violations. It argues the current system, where the issuing officer often reviews their own citations, lacks fairness and that the new bill corrects this conflict.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act

Bill NumberHR 7261
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 1R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.