Washington bill secures death benefits for families of rideshare drivers killed on the job

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A new bill in the state of Washington aims to protect rideshare drivers' families if their loved one is killed on the job.

Under current law, if a rideshare driver is killed on the job while waiting for another ride, their families do not qualify for death benefits. House Bill 2382 would change that.

“It closes a current loophole in state law to make these families whole once they suffer a measurable loss of having their loved one killed on the job,” Seattle Rep. Liz Berry said. “I think it is the least we can do to require that  these companies pay for these benefits.”

Since 2020, five rideshare drivers in the state have been killed while working. The most recent was in January.

Police say 31-year-old Abdul Kar Aaddi Sharif was shot by a 21-year-old while making a turn at an intersection in Edmunds.

The bill has already passed the House and Senate. It now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.