SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2531        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2393

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul R. Feeney

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the safety of autonomous vehicles.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Paul R. Feeney

Bristol and Norfolk

 

Paul W. Mark

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire

4/9/2025

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

5/20/2025


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2531        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2393

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2393) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to the safety and standards of autonomous vehicles.  Transportation.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to the safety of autonomous vehicles.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 19L the following new section:-

Section 19M. An autonomous vehicle registered in this state must continue to meet federal standards and regulations for a motor vehicle. The vehicle shall not be engaged in the transport of interstate commerce or the transporting of passengers, or the transporting of goods unless a human safety operator is physically present in the autonomous vehicle such that they have the ability to monitor the performance of the vehicle and intervene if necessary, including but not limited to operating or shutting off the vehicle. A human safety operator must continue to meet all state and federal qualifications for automated and non-automated vehicles.