(a) Notwithstanding Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 5351) of Division 2 of the Public Utilities Code, every city or county in which a taxicab company is substantially located, as defined in paragraph (5) of subdivision (k), shall protect the public health, safety, and welfare by adopting an ordinance or resolution in regard to taxicab transportation service rendered in vehicles designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, which are operated within the jurisdiction of the city or county. (b) Each city or county that adopts an ordinance pursuant to subdivision (a) shall provide for, but is not limited to providing for, the following in that ordinance: (1) A policy for entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation service. The policy shall include, but need not be limited to, a permitting program for taxicab drivers that includes all of the following provisions: (A) Employment, or an offer of employment, as a taxicab driver in the jurisdiction, including compliance with all of the requirements of the program adopted pursuant to paragraph (3), shall be a condition of issuance of a driverâs permit. (B) The driverâs permit shall become void upon termination of employment. (C) The driverâs permit shall state the name of the employer. (D) The employer shall notify the city or county upon termination of employment. (E) The driver shall return the permit to the city or county upon termination of employment. (2) The establishment or registration of rates for the provision of taxicab transportation service that meets the following requirements: (A) The taxicab company may set fares or charge a flat rate. However, the city or county may set a maximum rate. (B) The taxicab company may use any type of device or technology approved by the Division of Measurement Standards to calculate fares, including the use of Global Positioning System metering, provided that the device or technology complies with Section 12500.5 of the Business and Professions Code and with all regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions Code. (C) The taxicab company shall disclose fares, fees, or rates to the customer. A permitted taxicab company may satisfy this requirement by disclosing fares, fees, or rates on its Internet Web site, mobile telephone application, or telephone orders upon request by the customer. (D) The taxicab company shall notify the passenger of the applicable rate prior to the passenger accepting the ride for walkup rides and street hails. The rate may be provided on the exterior of the vehicle, within an application of a mobile telephone, device, or other Internet-connected device, or be clearly visible in either print or electronic form inside the taxicab. (3) (A) A mandatory controlled substance and alcohol testing certification program. The program shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following requirements: (i) Drivers shall test negative for each of the controlled substances specified in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, before employment. Drivers shall test negative for these controlled substances and for alcohol as a condition of permit renewal or, if no periodic permit renewals are required, at such other times as the city or county shall designate. As used in this section, a negative test for alcohol means an alcohol screening test showing a breath alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 percent. (ii) Procedures shall be substantially as in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, except that the driver shall show a valid California driverâs license at the time and place of testing, and except as provided otherwise in this section. Requirements for rehabilitation and for return-to-duty and followup testing and other requirements, except as provided otherwise in this section, shall be substantially as in Part 382 (commencing with Section
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