This bill would add a new section (24324) to Title 49 of the U.S. Code to stop Amtrak from using pre-dispute arbitration agreements and pre-dispute joint-action waivers for certain disputes with customers. It says such arbitration agreements and waivers are invalid and unenforceable for consumer disputes and civil rights disputes between Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) and customers. The bill defines "consumer dispute" to include claims about Amtrak services, accommodations, carriage, and personal injuries. It defines "civil rights dispute" as claims alleging violations of the U.S. or state constitutions or laws that prohibit discrimination based on characteristics like race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and similar protected statuses, and it covers cases where one or more customers seek to act as a class. The bill says courts, not arbitrators, must decide whether the section applies to an agreement, and it excludes disputes covered by the Railway Labor Act. The change would take effect on the date the act is signed and apply to disputes that arise or accrue on or after that date.
If you are a person (not an Amtrak employee) who uses Amtrak services or buys Amtrak carriage, this bill would mean Amtrak could not force you into arbitration or stop you from joining a class or collective legal action for covered consumer or civil-rights claims. It does not change how employment or Railway Labor Act matters are handled.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s stated purposes are to prohibit pre-dispute arbitration agreements that force arbitration of consumer and civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers, and to prohibit agreements or practices that interfere with customers’ rights to take part in joint, class, or collective actions on those disputes.
No publicly available information.