SENATE DOCKET, NO. 801        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William N. Brownsberger

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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 expanding truck safety requirements.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 801        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act expanding truck safety requirements.

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

SECTION 1. 

Section 7 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the words “not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.” the following new paragraph:-

On or after January 1, 2028, a  motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or semi-trailer unit classified as a class 3 or above by the Federal Highway Administration, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, shall be equipped with a lateral protective device, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors and backup cameras if the vehicle was operated under a contract with or leased or purchased by the following entities:

Any municipality of the Commonwealth;

Any instrumentality of the Commonwealth; 

Any “electric company” as defined in section 1 of chapter 164; 

Any “gas company” as defined in section 1 of chapter 164; 

Any “utility” as defined in section 25A of chapter 166; or

Any “wireless provider” as defined in section 25A of chapter 166.

This paragraph shall not apply to an ambulance, firefighting apparatus, low-speed vehicle, agricultural tractor or any other class or type of vehicle as determined by the registrar. The registrar shall adopt regulations establishing standards, consistent with the United States Department of Transportation John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center’s side guard standard DOT-VNTSC-OSTR-16-05, and specifications for the size, design and mounting of lateral protective devices, convex mirrors and cross-over mirrors. The registrar may provide alternative means of compliance with the convex mirror, cross-over mirror and lateral protective device requirements.