§ 20-1287 Informal resolution process.
AC § 20-1287
a. A high-volume for-hire vehicle service shall maintain an email address, website, or other form of electronic communication through which a high-volume for-hire vehicle driver or their representative may challenge such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver’s deactivation, prior deactivation, or impending deactivation for which such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver received a notice of layoff pursuant to subdivision d of section 20-1282, as unlawful pursuant to this subchapter. Such high-volume for-hire vehicle service must provide such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver an opportunity to submit evidence to substantiate any such challenge and accept written communications pursuant to this section in the language in which they are written. b. A high-volume for-hire vehicle driver may seek informal resolution of a deactivation of such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver, or an impending deactivation for which such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver receives a notice of layoff pursuant to subdivision d of section 20-1282, by a high-volume for-hire vehicle service by initiating, an informal resolution process through the email address, website, or other form of electronic communication maintained by such high-volume for-hire vehicle service pursuant to subdivision a of this section, or through any other means that such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver and such high-volume for-hire vehicle service agree to. The parties shall have 15 days after commencing such informal resolution process to reach a resolution, unless such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver and such high-volume for-hire vehicle service mutually agree to a longer timeframe. If the parties resolve a challenge pursuant to this subdivision, they shall memorialize such resolution in a written agreement, on a form provided by the department. c. The high-volume for-hire vehicle service’s failure to engage in good faith with the informal resolution process shall be a violation subject to a civil penalty under section 20-1209, but such violation shall not be subject to enforcement pursuant to sections 20-1207, 20-1208, 20-1210, 20-1211 and 20-1212. d. After receiving a complaint pursuant to section 20-1207 alleging a violation of section 20-1282 or 20-1283, the department shall notify the high-volume for-hire vehicle driver or such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver’s representative and the high-volume for-hire vehicle service that they may resolve the complaint through an informal resolution process pursuant to this section. e. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the department shall not proceed with its investigation of a complaint filed pursuant to section 20-1207 alleging a violation of section 20-1282 or 20-1283 unless (i) the high-volume for-hire vehicle driver or such high-volume for-hire vehicle driver’s representative and the high-volume for-hire vehicle service fail to reach a resolution within 15 days after commencement of an informal resolution process pursuant to this section, or (ii) the high-volume for-hire vehicle driver has opted out of the informal resolution process pursuant to this section, in a form and manner specified by the department. (L.L. 2026/052, 1/29/2026, eff. 7/28/2026) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2026/052.
