Uber, Lyft To Cover Legal Fees For Drivers Affected By Oklahoma’s Abortion Law

Last year, Uber and Lyft pledged support for drivers who could be sued as “accomplices” to women seeking termination of their pregnancies under the then-new Texas anti-abortion regulations.

Now, as Oklahoma’s forthcoming SB1503 law comes into effect, anyone who is deemed as “assisting” a woman in receiving the procedure could face a similar fine of up to US$10,000. 

As such, the two ride-sharing giants have stepped up once again to assure drivers in the state that any legal fees incurred due to the rule will be paid for by the companies.

According to CNBC, an Uber spokesperson told the site it was intending to “cover all legal fees” for any driver sued under the law while on the road.

Lyft CEO Logan Green tweeted his response to the situation, saying that “women’s access to healthcare is under attack once again.” 

Green said the company is currently working on a variety of measures for both women in need and ride-share drivers, including arranging a “safe state program” to cover the costs of rides for pregnant women seeking out-of-state abortion care.

Lyft employees will also have their travel costs covered by the firm should they be subject to the state laws that require them to travel long distances for an in-network abortion provider.

Oklahoma pic.twitter.com/npCUyLAYUJ

— Logan Green (@logangreen) April 30, 2022

[via CNBC and Engadget, cover image via Davide Bonaldo | Dreamstime.com]