Amends title 49 of the United States Code to prohibit Amtrak from including mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts of carriage.
Prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that force arbitration of consumer and civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers.
Prohibits agreements that interfere with customers’ rights to participate in joint, class, or collective actions related to consumer and civil rights disputes.
Defines key terms including “Amtrak,” “civil rights dispute,” “consumer dispute,” “customer,” “predispute arbitration agreement,” and “predispute joint-action waiver.”
States that all predispute arbitration agreements and joint-action waivers are invalid and unenforceable concerning consumer or civil rights disputes with Amtrak.
Establishes that the applicability of this section to a dispute will be determined by federal law, with courts having the authority to decide on the validity and enforceability of arbitration agreements.
Excludes predispute arbitration agreements or joint-action waivers related to disputes under the Railway Labor Act.
The amendment takes effect upon enactment and applies to disputes or claims arising on or after that date.