Lyft and Uber Extend Reproductive Right Protections to Oklahoma
Lyft and Uber have promised to cover the legal fees of drivers accused of violating S.B. 1503, also known as the "Oklahoma Heartbeat Act," while they're working for their ride-share platforms.
Oklahoma modeled S.B. 1503 and H.B. 2347, which allows individuals to file civil suits against abortion providers, after the controversial S.B. 8 law Texas enacted in September 2021.
The fear is that ride-share drivers could be targeted by civil suits if they drive women to abortion clinics. Few of those drivers could afford the legal fees associated with fighting those suits—or the work they'll miss while they're in court—even if they emerge victorious from the courtroom.
That's why Lyft and Uber said in September 2021 they would cover any legal fees incurred by drivers as a result of S.B. 8. Now the companies are extending those protections to Oklahoma. Here's what Lyft CEO Logan Green said after Oklahoma lawmakers approved S.B. 1503:
Uber told CNBC via email that "like in TX, we intend to cover all legal fees for any driver sued under this law while they’re driving." (Many drivers accept rides via both platforms, so it's good to see they're on the same page, because otherwise things would get complicated pretty quickly.)
CNN reports that abortion providers and rights groups in Oklahoma have challenged S.B. 1503—and its counterparts—in a bid to have the courts block it before it goes into effect.
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