Uber, Lyft May Face New Protocols on California Sex Assault Data

California regulators will determine whether Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc., and other ridesharing companies must use a standard definition for sexual assault and harassment in annual safety reports.

The California Public Utilities Commission should also decide what minimum protocols, if any, should be required to train drivers that sexual assault and sexual harassment are punishable by law and must be prevented, Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma said in a memo to commissioners issued Thursday.

Another issue is whether the state agency must take any action after litigation over gig drivers’ status as independent contractors or employees is resolved, Shiroma said. ...