Biden Signs Sami’s Law In Honor Of Mercer Woman Killed By Fake Uber Driver

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – President Joe Biden signed Sami’s Law in honor of Mercer County’s Samantha Josephson, who was killed by a man pretending to be an Uber Driver.

H.R. 1082 signed by Biden on Jan. 5, requires the Government Accountability Office to study and submit reports to Congress on incidents of assaults involving ride-share drivers. The bill would require ride-share companies to enhance verification systems and create a path for other safety requirements.

The federal law was sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4). “Thank you to Representative Chris Smith, Senator Cardin, and many others for their leadership,” the White House said in a statement. More: Sami's Law, For NJ Woman Killed By Fake Uber Driver, Passes House

On March 29, 2019, Robbinsville resident Samantha Josephson was kidnapped and murdered after she got into a car thinking it was her Uber ride.

The University of South Carolina student disappeared from Columbia’s Five Point entertainment district and was found in remote woods about 65 miles away.

Born in Princeton and raised in Robbinsville, Samantha was in her senior year at the University of South Carolina when she was killed.

Following her death, Samantha’s parents – Seymour and Marci Josephson began the #WHATSMYNAME foundation to educate people on the importance of rideshare safety.

On Monday, officials in Mercer County thanked Biden for signing the law.

“The Samantha Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina in June 2019 and Sami’s Law was enacted in New Jersey. Please continue to keep Samantha and the Josephson family in your hearts,” County officials said on Facebook.

New Jersey passed SAMI’s Law in 2019 which requires more identification from the rideshare drivers.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com