Transportation and Logistics Hiring Reform Act of 2020

This bill establishes a standard of care for the selection of motor carriers by specified entities (e.g., shippers, brokers, freight carriers).

Before tendering a shipment, but not more than 45 days before the pickup of a shipment by the hired motor carrier, an entity shall verify that the carrier

• is registered with and authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to operate as a motor carrier,
• does not have an unsatisfactory safety fitness rating, and
• has not otherwise been ordered to discontinue operations by the FMCSA.

In any civil action in federal or state court for damages in which it is asserted or alleged that an entity acted negligently in the selection or retention of a motor carrier, such entity shall be considered to have acted reasonably and prudently in the selection if it establishes that it verified information relating to the motor carrier through the FMCS.