Mass. Senate Unveils Bill To Regulate Ride-Hailing Services

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate has unveiled a bill that would regulate ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, including requiring drivers undergo criminal background checks and carry insurance policies of at least $1 million.

Unlike a House version of the bill, the Senate version would not ban drivers working for ride-hailing companies from picking up passengers at Boston's Logan International Airport, a provision meant to appease the taxi industry, which has struggled against the competition.

The Senate bill would also create a trust fund paid for by an assessment on transportation network companies of not more than 10 cents per ride.

The money would be distributed to local municipalities based on the proportion of rides originating in a city or town.

The Senate could debate the bill as early as next week.