The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved “Dalilah’s Law,” legislation aimed at strengthening Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements and enhancing safety standards for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The bill, introduced by Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer, seeks to ensure that drivers are properly trained, meet federal safety requirements, and can read and understand English for road signs and communication with law enforcement.

Dalilah’s Law is named after Dalilah Coleman, who was seriously injured at age five in a crash involving a commercial vehicle. Lawmakers cited the incident as part of broader concerns about ensuring that all commercial drivers are qualified to operate safely.

The committee approved the measure in a 35 to 26 vote.

According to committee leadership, the legislation would establish additional safeguards around CDL issuance and enforcement. Provisions in the bill include requirements for English language proficiency, stronger oversight of state CDL issuance practices, and enhanced penalties for noncompliance with federal standards.

The bill also includes measures intended to improve training quality and address fraudulent practices in the commercial driving sector, including efforts to prevent inadequate training programs and strengthen oversight of third-party operators involved in freight and driver placement.

In a statement, Rouzer said the legislation is intended to improve roadway safety by ensuring commercial drivers meet consistent national standards. Committee Chairman Sam Graves added that the bill focuses on reinforcing existing requirements and ensuring compliance across states.

The legislation now advances for consideration by the House of Representatives.