The push for English proficiency continues as the House passes Dalilah’s Law. On March 18, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved the law in a 35-20 vote. Dalilah’s Law is named after a five-year-old who was injured following a collision with an illegal US truck driver. Some of the features of the bill include:
- Ensuring that all drivers who hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) are English proficient.
- Requiring states to certify that they are not issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants.
- Place out-of-service violations on drivers who do not meet the law’s requirements.
- Increase consequences for states that don’t comply with the law.
Despite being in the early stages of legislation, the law’s passage could be significant for domestic shipping.
How Does Delila’s Law Relate To English Proficiency?
Over the past year, the Trump administration has increased efforts to promote English proficiency in US trucking. Along with several executive orders signed by Trump, Delilah’s law also focuses on illegal truckers. The law will ensure that all drivers meet English proficiency standards while placing out-of-service violations on those who don’t. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted, “Unqualified and unvetted foreigners have no business getting behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle and killing innocent American families.” The enforcement goes beyond drivers; states are penalized for failing to follow the law. A state would lose 8% of its federal highway funds for its first offense and 12% for subsequent offenses.
What May Domestic Shipping Expect As House Passes Delilah’s Law?
After the House passes the bill, it must go to the Senate, which must also pass it. Once both parties approve it, the bill will go to the President, who can approve or veto it. If the President approves it, there would be greater English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards that drivers would have to meet. With many truckers currently not meeting ELPs, there could be a large driver purge. A concern that this could contribute to an already present driver shortage that has been impacting the industry. Despite criticism, many believe that the bill is essential for promoting road safety in the US.
As laws continue to change, shippers must stay up to date on regulations that may affect their shipments. Failure to comply can disrupt the transportation process and impact the shipper and the receiver of the cargo. In addition to paying attention to the news, you can do this by speaking with a freight broker. Freight brokers are middlemen between shippers and carriers, coordinating freight transport for shippers. They do this by connecting you to a network of carriers that can move your cargo anywhere in the country. Contact A1 Freight Solutions at info@a1fsinc.com or 786-375-9420 to speak to our brokers and ensure a successful shipment.