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S. 5238

BillFederalSenateIn Committee
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 25, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Congress
118th (2023–2025)
Introduced
September 25, 2024
Cosponsors (11)
10D 0R
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Summary

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This bill prohibits Amtrak from requiring passengers to sign mandatory arbitration agreements that would force them to resolve disputes outside of court. The legislation prevents Amtrak from using contracts of carriage that include clauses requiring customers to arbitrate consumer disputes or civil rights violations privately, and it also blocks agreements that prevent passengers from joining class action lawsuits. The bill applies to all consumer disputes involving Amtrak services, including personal injury claims, and to any disputes arising from alleged violations of federal, state, or local civil rights laws related to discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, and other protected statuses. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to any dispute or claim that arises after the bill is enacted, with courts rather than arbitrators determining whether the law applies to specific agreements. No specific funding is allocated in the bill, as it primarily restricts Amtrak's contractual practices rather than creating new programs.

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