Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119
AN ACT CONCERNING MO TOR VEHICLE REGISTRA TION
NOTICE, THE INTERNAT IONAL REGISTRATION P LAN,
CARRIERS, SCHOOL BUS ES, THE MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD,
RESERVED PARKING SPA CES, AUTONOMOUS VEHI CLES AND
OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 14-22 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(a) A motor vehicle registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall
expire in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner.
If the expiration date of the registration of the motor vehicle, except the
registration of a motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire,
falls on any day when the offices of the commissioner are closed for
business, the registration shall be deemed valid for the operation of the
motor vehicle until midnight of the next day on which the offices of the
commissioner are open for business. The commissioner shall prescribe
the date and manner of renewing registrations. Not less than thirty
days prior to the expiration of any valid registration, the department
shall send or transmit, in such manner as the commissioner
determines, an application for renewal to the registrant. In the case of a
motor vehicle registered to a leasing company licensed pursuant to Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 2 of 30
section 14-15, the department may send or transmit, in such manner as
the commissioner determines, an application for renewal of a leased
vehicle to the lessee of such vehicle. If a registrant is prohibited from
renewing a registration for failing to comply with one or more
provisions of law or owes fines or fees to the department related to any
motor vehicle owned or leased by the registrant or pursuant to
subsection (f) of section 14-50, the department may send or transmit, in
lieu of a renewal application, a notice that (1) describes the compliance
issue or the type and amount of any fee or fine owed, and (2) states
that the registrant's registration will not be renewed until the
compliance issue is resolved or the fee or fine is paid in full. The
commissioner shall not be required to send or transmit a registrant's or
lessee's application or notice by mail if the United States Postal Service
has determined that mail is undeliverable to such person at the
address for such person that is in the records of the department. Except
for the processing of such application at an official emissions
inspection station as provided in subsection (b) of this section or by
telephone as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the
commissioner may require that the application be returned
electronically or by mail in order to be processed and approved, with
only such exceptions, on a hardship basis, as shall be established by
the commissioner in regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 54.
Sec. 2. Section 14-28 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
For a fee of [six] seven dollars, the commissioner may furnish to
each holder of a livery or taxicab registration an additional passenger
motor vehicle number plate or set of number plates in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-21b to be used on [such
vehicle] the motor vehicle in livery service or taxicab when not
engaged in public service business, [On and after July 1, 1992, the fee
shall be seven dollars] provided such vehicle or taxicab meets the Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 3 of 30
criteria for registration as a passenger vehicle under the provisions of
this chapter.
Sec. 3. Section 14-34a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is authorized to enter into
reciprocal agreements or plans on behalf of the state of Connecticut
with the appropriate authorities of any of the states, territories or
possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any state
or province of any country providing for the registration of
commercial vehicles on an apportionment or allocation basis, and may,
in the exercise of this authority, enter into and become a member of the
International Registration Plan developed by the American
Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Any such reciprocal
agreement or plan may provide for, but shall not be limited to, the
following: (1) Full reciprocity in accordance with such agreement or
plan for commercial vehicles not based in Connecticut, operated solely
in interstate commerce and of specified types or gross or unladen
weights, in exchange for equivalent reciprocity for Connecticut based
commercial vehicles; (2) reciprocal exchange of audits of records of the
owners of such commercial vehicles by the states participating in any
such agreement or plan; and (3) any other matters which would
facilitate the administration of such agreement or plan, including
exchange of information for audits, enforcement activities and
collection and disbursement of proportional registration fees for other
jurisdictions in the case of Connecticut based commercial vehicles.
(b) Any [reciprocity] reciprocal agreement, arrangement or
declaration relating to commercial vehicles in effect between this state
and any jurisdiction not a party to such reciprocal agreement or plan,
or which relates to any matters not covered in such reciprocal
agreement or plan shall continue in force and effect until specifically
amended or revoked as provided by law. Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 4 of 30
(c) Notwithstanding any such agreement or plan, (1) any such
commercial vehicle garaged at any fixed location or which leaves from
and returns to one or more points within this state in the normal
course of operations, shall be taxable in this state as personal property
in the town where such vehicle is garaged; (2) registration shall be
denied to any such vehicle if any personal property taxes are unpaid
with respect to such vehicle, as provided in section 14-33; and (3) any
such vehicle based in this state shall be subject to the provisions of
sections 14-12, 14-15, 14-15a, 14-16a and chapter 247.
(d) At such time as the state of Connecticut may enter into and
become a member of the International Registration Plan pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section, the provisions of [said] the plan, as it may
be amended from time to time, which are concerned with the
registration of any vehicle or the fees which relate to any such
registration shall control whenever any special act or any provision of
the general statutes, except subsection (c) of this section, conflicts with
any provision of [said] the plan. A copy of the plan, as it may be
amended from time to time, shall be maintained on file by the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles at the main office of the department,
and shall be available for public inspection.
(e) If the International Registration Plan is entered into by this state
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the plan requires that a
member jurisdiction accept registration or other documents under the
plan in electronic format, the registrant may show a legible electronic
image of such registration or document to any person who is required
or authorized, in connection with such person's employment, to view
such registration or document. If a registrant presents such registration
or document by displaying an electronic image on a cellular mobile
telephone or other electronic device, such person may not view, and
offering such display shall not be construed to be consent for such
person to view, any content on such telephone or electronic device Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 5 of 30
other than such registration or document. No person who is required
or authorized to view registrations or documents under the plan shall
be liable for any damage to, or destruction of, a cellular mobile
telephone or other electronic device provided to such person for the
purpose of displaying an electronic image of a registration or
document.
[(e)] (f) Any commercial vehicle that is required to be registered in
another jurisdiction shall not operate on any highway of the state
without being so registered. Any commercial vehicle that is registered
in any other jurisdiction and is eligible for registration on an
apportionment basis shall not be operated on any highway without
such registration or a seventy-two-hour trip permit registration issued
by the commissioner. Any person who owns any motor vehicle
operated in violation of this subsection shall be fined five hundred
dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense, not less
than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand dollars, except
if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than
sixty thousand pounds, such owner shall be fined one thousand
dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense, not less
than two thousand dollars nor more than four thousand dollars.
Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 51-164n of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any
person who is alleged to have committed (1) a violation under the
provisions of section 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 4b-13, 7-13, 7-14, 7-35, 7-41, 7-83, 7-
283, 7-325, 7-393, 8-12, 8-25, 8-27, 9-63, 9-322, 9-350, 10-193, 10-197, 10-
198, 10-230, 10-251, 10-254, 12-52, 12-170aa, 12-292, 12-314b or 12-326g,
subdivision (4) of section 12-408, subdivision (3), (5) or (6) of section
12-411, section 12-435c, 12-476a, 12-476b, 12-487, 13a-71, 13a-107, 13a-
113, 13a-114, 13a-115, 13a-117b, 13a-123, 13a-124, 13a-139, 13a-140, 13a- Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 6 of 30
143b, 13a-247 or 13a-253, subsection (f) of section 13b-42, section 13b-
90, 13b-221, 13b-292, 13b-336, 13b-337, 13b-338, 13b-410a, 13b-410b or
13b-410c, subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 13b-412, section 13b-414,
subsection (d) of section 14-12, section 14-20a or 14-27a, subsection [(e)]
(f) of section 14-34a, as amended by this act, subsection (d) of section
14-35, section 14-43, 14-49, 14-50a or 14-58, subsection (b) of section 14-
66, section 14-66a or 14-67a, subsection (g) of section 14-80, subsection
(f) of section 14-80h, section 14-97a, 14-100b, 14-103a, 14-106a, 14-106c,
14-146, 14-152, 14-153 or 14-163b, a first violation as specified in
subsection (f) of section 14-164i, section 14-219 as specified in
subsection (e) of said section, subdivision (1) of section 14-223a, section
14-240, 14-250 or 14-253a, as amended by this act, subsection (a) of
section 14-261a, section 14-262, 14-264, 14-267a, 14-269, 14-270, 14-275a,
14-278 or 14-279, subsection (e) or (h) of section 14-283, section 14-291,
14-293b, 14-296aa, as amended by this act, 14-300, 14-300d, 14-319, 14-
320, 14-321, 14-325a, 14-326, 14-330 or 14-332a, subdivision (1), (2) or (3)
of section 14-386a, section 15-25 or 15-33, subdivision (1) of section 15-
97, subsection (a) of section 15-115, section 16-44, 16-256e, 16a-15 or
16a-22, subsection (a) or (b) of section 16a-22h, section 17a-24, 17a-145,
17a-149, 17a-152, 17a-465, 17b-124, 17b-131, 17b-137, 19a-30, 19a-33,
19a-39 or 19a-87, subsection (b) of section 19a-87a, section 19a-91, 19a-
105, 19a-107, 19a-113, 19a-215, 19a-219, 19a-222, 19a-224, 19a-286, 19a-
287, 19a-297, 19a-301, 19a-309, 19a-335, 19a-336, 19a-338, 19a-339, 19a-
340, 19a-425, 19a-502, 20-7a, 20-14, 20-158, 20-231, 20-249, 20-257, 20-
265, 20-324e, 20-341l, 20-366, 20-597, 20-608, 20-610, 21-1, 21-38, 21-39,
21-43, 21-47, 21-48, 21-63 or 21-76a, subsection (c) of section 21a-2,
subdivision (1) of section 21a-19, section 21a-21, subdivision (1) of
subsection (b) of section 21a-25, section 21a-26 or 21a-30, subsection (a)
of section 21a-37, section 21a-46, 21a-61, 21a-63 or 21a-77, subsection
(b) of section 21a-79, section 21a-85 or 21a-154, subdivision (1) of
subsection (a) of section 21a-159, subsection (a) of section 21a-279a,
section 22-12b, 22-13, 22-14, 22-15, 22-16, 22-26g, 22-29, 22-34, 22-35, 22-
36, 22-38, 22-39, 22-39a, 22-39b, 22-39c, 22-39d, 22-39e, 22-49 or 22-54, Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 7 of 30
subsection (d) of section 22-84, section 22-89, 22-90, 22-98, 22-99, 22-
100, 22-111o, 22-167, 22-279, 22-280a, 22-318a, 22-320h, 22-324a, 22-326
or 22-342, subsection (b), (e) or (f) of section 22-344, section 22-359, 22-
366, 22-391, 22-413, 22-414, 22-415, 22a-66a or 22a-246, subsection (a) of
section 22a-250, subsection (e) of section 22a-256h, section 22a-363 or
22a-381d, subsections (c) and (d) of section 22a-381e, section 22a-449,
22a-461, 23-37, 23-38, 23-46 or 23-61b, subsection (a) or subdivision (1)
of subsection (c) of section 23-65, section 25-37 or 25-40, subsection (a)
of section 25-43, section 25-43d, 25-135, 26-18, 26-19, 26-21, 26-31, 26-40,
26-40a, 26-42, 26-49, 26-54, 26-55, 26-56, 26-58 or 26-59, subdivision (1)
of subsection (d) of section 26-61, section 26-64, subdivision (1) of
section 26-76, section 26-79, 26-87, 26-89, 26-91, 26-94, 26-97, 26-98, 26-
104, 26-105, 26-107, 26-117, 26-128, 26-131, 26-132, 26-138 or 26-141,
subdivision (1) of section 26-186, section 26-207, 26-215, 26-217 or 26-
224a, subdivision (1) of section 26-226, section 26-227, 26-230, 26-232,
26-244, 26-257a, 26-260, 26-276, 26-284, 26-285, 26-286, 26-288, 26-294,
28-13, 29-6a, 29-25, 29-143o, 29-143z or 29-156a, subsection (b), (d), (e)
or (g) of section 29-161q, section 29-161y or 29-161z, subdivision (1) of
section 29-198, section 29-210, 29-243 or 29-277, subsection (c) of section
29-291c, section 29-316, 29-318, 29-381, 30-48a, 30-86a, 31-3, 31-10, 31-
11, 31-12, 31-13, 31-14, 31-15, 31-16, 31-18, 31-23, 31-24, 31-25, 31-32, 31-
36, 31-38, 31-40, 31-44, 31-47, 31-48, 31-51, 31-52, 31-52a or 31-54,
subsection (a) or (c) of section 31-69, section 31-70, 31-74, 31-75, 31-76,
31-76a, 31-89b or 31-134, subsection (i) of section 31-273, section 31-288,
subdivision (1) of section 35-20, section 36a-787, 42-230, 45a-283, 45a-
450, 45a-634 or 45a-658, subdivision (13) or (14) of section 46a-54,
section 46a-59, 46b-22, 46b-24, 46b-34, 47-34a, 47-47, 49-8a, 49-16, 53-
133, 53-199, 53-212a, 53-249a, 53-252, 53-264, 53-280, 53-302a, 53-303e,
53-311a, 53-321, 53-322, 53-323, 53-331 or 53-344, subsection (c) of
section 53-344b, or section 53-450, or (2) a violation under the
provisions of chapter 268, or (3) a violation of any regulation adopted
in accordance with the provisions of section 12-484, 12-487 or 13b-410,
or (4) a violation of any ordinance, regulation or bylaw of any town, Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 8 of 30
city or borough, except violations of building codes and the health
code, for which the penalty exceeds ninety dollars but does not exceed
two hundred fifty dollars, unless such town, city or borough has
established a payment and hearing procedure for such violation
pursuant to section 7-152c, shall follow the procedures set forth in this
section.
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 14-44 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(b) No operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement
shall be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of this
section or section 14-36a, until the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or
the commissioner's authorized representative, is satisfied that the
applicant is a proper person to receive such an operator's license
bearing an endorsement, holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license,
or, if necessary for the class of vehicle operated, a commercial driver's
license and is at least eighteen years of age. Each applicant for an
operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the
renewal of such a license shall furnish the [Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles] commissioner, or the commissioner's authorized
representative, with satisfactory evidence, under oath, to prove that
such person has no criminal record and has not been convicted of a
violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of
subsection (a) of section 14-227n within five years of the date of
application and that no reason exists for a refusal to grant or renew
such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement.
Each applicant for such an operator's license bearing a public
passenger endorsement shall submit with the application proof
satisfactory to the [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner
that such applicant has passed a physical examination administered
not more than ninety days prior to the date of application [,] and Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 9 of 30
[which is in compliance with safety regulations established from time
to time by the United States Department of Transportation] meets the
physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended
from time to time. Each applicant for renewal of such license shall
present evidence that such applicant is in compliance with the
[medical qualifications] physical qualification standards established in
49 CFR 391, as amended [, provided an applicant for a Class D
operator's license bearing an endorsement described in subsection (c)
of section 14-36a, shall be deemed medically qualified if such applicant
(1) controls with medication, as certified by a licensed physician or a
licensed advanced practice registered nurse, a medical condition that
would otherwise deem such applicant not medically qualified, and (2)
would qualify for a waiver or exemption under 49 CFR 391, as
amended] from time to time. Each applicant for such an operator's
license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall be fingerprinted
before the license bearing a public passenger endorsement is issued.
Sec. 6. Subsection (h) of section 14-44 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-10, the
[commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall furnish to any
board of education or to any public or private organization that is
actively engaged in providing public transportation, including the
transportation of school children, a report containing the names and
motor vehicle operator license numbers of each person who has been
issued an operator's license with one or more public passenger
endorsements, authorizing such person to transport passengers in
accordance with the provisions of section 14-36a, but whose license or
any such public passenger endorsement has been withdrawn,
suspended or revoked by the [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles]
commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section, or any Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 10 of 30
other provision of this title. The report shall be issued and updated
periodically in accordance with a schedule to be established by the
[Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner. Such report may be
transmitted or otherwise made available to authorized recipients by
electronic means. [The commissioner shall ensure that each carrier, as
defined in section 14-212, is reviewing such report, pursuant to section
14-276, by (1) conducting random compliance audits of carriers to
determine whether a carrier is performing such review as prescribed
by said section 14-276, (2) maintaining a record of each such review by
a carrier for the prior two years, and (3) making such record publicly
available upon request.]
Sec. 7. Section 14-276 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) Registered school buses while transporting school children shall
be operated by holders of a valid passenger and school endorsement
issued in accordance with section 14-44, as amended by this act. Such
endorsement shall be held in addition to the commercial driver's
license required for the operation of such motor vehicles. A person
who has attained the age of seventy shall be allowed to hold a
passenger and school endorsement for the purpose of operating a
school bus, provided such person meets the minimum physical
requirements set by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and agrees to
submit to a physical examination at least twice a year or when
requested to do so by the superintendent of the school system in which
such person intends to operate a school bus. Any person to whom a
town has awarded a contract for the transportation of school children
who permits the operation of a registered school bus while
transporting school children by any person who does not hold a
passenger and school endorsement shall be fined not less than two
thousand five hundred dollars or more than five thousand dollars.
(b) On and after October 1, 2019, each carrier engaged in the Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 11 of 30
transportation of students shall register with the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles in a manner prescribed by the commis sioner.
Registration shall include the carrier's name, address and the name of
the employee or agent assigned to perform the carrier's responsibilities
under subsection (c) of this section. A carrier shall file amendments to
the registration to report to the commissioner any material change in
any information contained in the registration not later than thirty
calendar days after the carrier knows or reasonably should know of
the material change.
[(b)] (c) Not less than once during the first and third week of each
month, a carrier shall review the report made by the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of
section 14-44, as amended by this act, with reference to the name and
motor vehicle operator's license number of each person such carrier
employs to operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a
student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. If,
according to such report, any such employee's motor vehicle operator's
license or endorsement to operate a school bus or student
transportation vehicle has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked,
such carrier shall immediately prohibit such employee from operating
a school bus or student transportation vehicle.
[(c)] (d) Any carrier who fails to register with the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or review the
report made by the commissioner, pursuant to subsection [(b)] (c) of
this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars
for the first violation, and two thousand five hundred dollars for each
subsequent violation. Any carrier who fails to take immediate action to
prohibit the operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle
by an operator who appears on a report, pursuant to subsection [(b)]
(c) of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of two thousand
five hundred dollars for the first violation, and five thousand dollars Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
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for each subsequent violation. Upon appropriate justification
presented to the commissioner by any carrier, the commissioner may
make a determination to reduce any such penalty.
Sec. 8. Section 14-227k of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
(a) No person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been
restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of
section 14-227j, by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by any
provision of law that requires the use of an ignition interlock device,
shall (1) request or solicit another person to blow into an ignition
interlock device or to start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition
interlock device for the purpose of providing such person with an
operable motor vehicle, or (2) operate any motor vehicle not equipped
with a functioning ignition interlock device or any motor vehicle that a
court has ordered such person not to operate.
(b) No person shall tamper with, alter or bypass the operation of an
ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable
motor vehicle to a person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has
been restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b)
of section 14-227j, by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by any
provision of law that requires the use of an ignition interlock device.
(c) Any person who completes the terms of a license suspension and
is eligible for reinstatement of such person's motor vehicle operator's
license or nonresident operating privilege, provided such person
installs and uses a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, but
who fails to install such ignition interlock device, is prohibited from
operating any motor vehicle until such person installs an ignition
interlock device and such person's motor vehicle operator's license or
nonresident operating privilege is reinstated by the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles. Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
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[(c)] (d) (1) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision
(1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall be guilty of a
class C misdemeanor.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (2) of
subsection (a) of this section or subsection (c) of this section shall be
subject to the penalties set forth in subsection (c) of section 14-215.
[(d)] (e) Each court shall report each conviction under subsection (a),
[or] (b) or (c) of this section to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in
accordance with the provisions of section 14-141. The commissioner
shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident
operating privilege of the person reported as convicted for a period of
one year.
Sec. 9. Section 14-276a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing a procedure
for the [physical examination and] safety training of school bus
operators and operators of student transportation vehicles. Such
regulations shall provide [for minimum physical requirements for
such operators and] for minimum proficiency requirements for school
bus operators. The safety training administered by the commissioner
shall conform to the minimum requirements of number 17 of the
National Highway Safety Standards. Such safety training shall include
instruction relative to the location, contents and use of the first aid kit
in the motor vehicle.
(b) No person shall operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-
275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212,
for the purpose of transporting school children unless such person has
prior to the issuance or renewal of [his] such person's license Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
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endorsement: (1) Furnished evidence to the satisfaction of the
commissioner that [he] such person meets the [minimum physical
requirements set by the commissioner for operation of a school bus or
a student transportation vehicle;] physical qualification standards
established in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time; and (2)
successfully completed a course in safety training [administered by the
commissioner] and, in the case of school bus operators, passed an
examination in proficiency in school bus operation given by the
commissioner. Such proficiency examination shall include a road test
administered in either a type I school bus having a gross vehicle
weight exceeding ten thousand pounds or a type II school bus having a
gross vehicle weight of ten thousand pounds or less. Any operator
administered a road test in a type II school bus [only] shall not be
eligible for a license to operate a type I school bus. Any person who
violates any provision of this subsection shall be deemed to have
committed an infraction.
(c) Any town or regional school district may require its school bus
operators to have completed a safety training course in the operation
of school buses, consisting of a minimum of ten hours of behind-the-
wheel instruction and three hours of classroom instruction.
(d) A carrier shall require each person whom it intends to employ to
operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student
transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, to submit to a
urinalysis drug test in accordance with the provisions of sections 31-
51v and 31-51w and shall require each person it employs to operate
such vehicles to submit to a urinalysis drug test on a random basis in
accordance with the provisions of section 31-51x and the standards set
forth in 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391. No carrier may employ any person
who has received a positive test result for such test which was
confirmed as provided in [subdivisions (2) and (3)] subdivision (2) of
subsection (a) of section 31-51u. No carrier may continue to employ as Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 15 of 30
a driver, for two years, any person who has received a positive test
result for such test which was confirmed as provided in [subdivisions
(2) and (3)] subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. No
carrier may continue to employ as a driver, permanently, any person
who has received a second positive test result for such test which was
confirmed as provided in [subdivisions (2) and (3)] subdivision (2) of
subsection (a) of section 31-51u. The commissioner may, after notice
and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand
dollars for the first offense and two thousand five hundred dollars for
each subsequent offense on any carrier which violates any provision of
this subsection.
Sec. 10. Section 14-46b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) There is established within the department a Motor Vehicle
Operator's License Medical Advisory Board, which shall advise the
commissioner on the medical aspects and concerns of licensing
operators of motor vehicles. The board shall consist of not less than
eight members or more than fifteen members who shall be medical
professionals and who shall be appointed by the commissioner. [from
a list of nominees submitted by the] The Connecticut State Medical
Society, the Connecticut Association of Optometrists [,] and [such
other] any professional medical associations or organizations [that
have as] whose members include physician assistants or advanced
practice registered nurses [. The Connecticut State Medical Society and
such other organizations shall] may submit nominees [representing]
for appointment to the board for the commissioner's consideration
who represent the specialties of (1) general medicine or surgery, (2)
internal medicine, (3) cardiovascular medicine, (4) neurology or
neurological surgery, (5) ophthalmology or optometry, (6) orthopedics,
(7) psychiatry, [and] or (8) occupational medicine. [The Connecticut
Association of Optometrists shall submit nominees representing the Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 16 of 30
specialty of optometry.]
(b) Initially, three members shall be appointed for a two-year term,
three members for a three-year term and the remainder of the
members for a four-year term. Appointments thereafter shall be for
four-year terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by the commissioner for
the unexpired portion of a term. The commissioner shall designate the
[chairman] chairperson of the board.
(c) Board members shall serve without compensation but shall be
reimbursed for necessary expenses or services incurred in performing
their duties, including the giving of testimony at any administrative
hearing when requested by the commissioner. Medical professionals
who are not members of the board and conduct examinations at the
request of the board shall be compensated for these examinations.
(d) The board shall meet at the call of the commissioner at least
annually. Special meetings may be held to fulfill the responsibilities
specified in section 14-46c.
(e) Any meeting of the board in which the medical condition of any
individual is discussed for purposes of making a recommendation on
his or her fitness to operate a motor vehicle shall be held in executive
session.
(f) As used in this section and section 14-46c, "medical professional"
means a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice
registered nurse or optometrist.
Sec. 11. Subsections (e) and (f) of section 14-253a of the general
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
(Effective October 1, 2019):
(e) Vehicles displaying a special license plate or a placard issued
pursuant to this section or by authorities of other states or countries for Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 17 of 30
the purpose of identifying vehicles permitted to utilize parking spaces
reserved for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities, shall
be allowed to park in an area where parking is legally permissible, for
an unlimited period of time without penalty, notwithstanding the
period of time indicated as lawful by any (1) parking meter, or (2) sign
erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of chapter
249, provided the operator of or a passenger in such motor vehicle is a
person who is blind or a person with disabilities. A placard shall not be
displayed on any motor vehicle when such vehicle is not being
operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who is blind or a
person with disabilities to whom the placard was issued. Vehicles
bearing a special license plate shall not utilize parking spaces reserved
for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities or the cross
hatch abutting such spaces when such vehicles are not being operated
by or carrying as a passenger a person who is blind or a person with
disabilities to whom such special license plate was issued.
(f) Only [those] motor vehicles displaying a plate or placard issued
pursuant to this section shall be authorized to (1) park in public or
private areas reserved for exclusive use by persons who are blind or
persons with disabilities, and (2) to use the cross hatch abutting such
areas, except that any ambulance, as defined in section 19a-175, which
is transporting a patient may park in such area for a period not to
exceed fifteen minutes while assisting such patient. Any motor vehicle
parked or using the cross hatch in violation of the provisions of this
subsection for the third or subsequent time shall be subject to being
towed from such designated area. Such vehicle shall be impounded
until payment of any fines incurred is received. No person, firm or
corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor
vehicles without drivers in this state may be held liable for any acts of
the lessee constituting a violation of the provisions of this subsection.
Any municipal police officer who observes a motor vehicle parked in
violation of this subsection shall issue a written warning or a summons Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 18 of 30
for such violation.
Sec. 12. Subsection (l) of section 14-253a of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(l) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section for
which a penalty or fine is not otherwise provided shall, for a first
violation, be subject to a fine of [one] two hundred fifty dollars, and for
a subsequent violation, be subject to a fine of [two] five hundred [fifty]
dollars.
(2) No owner or lessee of a private parking area subject to the
requirements of this section, or an agent of such owner or lessee, shall
dump, or allow any other person to dump, or otherwise place
accumulated snow in a special parking space reserved as required in
this section. Any owner, lessee or agent who violates the provisions of
this subdivision shall, for a first violation, be subject to a fine of [one]
two hundred fifty dollars, and for a subsequent violation, be subject to
a fine of [two] five hundred [fifty] dollars.
Sec. 13. Section 13b-344a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2019):
No person shall cross railroad tracks at a designated railroad grade
crossing when warned by an automatic signal, crossing gates, flagman
or law enforcement officer of the approach of a railroad locomotive, a
railroad car or train or other equipment on the railroad tracks or when
otherwise warned of the approach of such [a] locomotive, car or train
or equipment. Violation of this section shall be an infraction.
Sec. 14. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to
study compliance with motor vehicle registration laws and make
recommendations to prevent Connecticut residents from registering
motor vehicles in another state while residing in Connecticut. Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 19 of 30
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
one of whom is a member of an association that represents municipal
tax assessors;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one
of whom is a municipal police chief;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives, who is a municipal tax assessor that serves a
municipality with seventy-five thousand residents or more;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is a
member of a municipal police department that serves a municipality
with seventy-five thousand residents or more;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives, who is a member of a municipal police department
that serves a municipality with less than seventy-five thousand
residents;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who is a
municipal tax assessor that serves a municipality with less than
seventy-five thousand residents;
(7) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the commissioner's
designee;
(8) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection,
or the commissioner's designee; and
(9) Two persons appointed by the Governor.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1),
(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 20 of 30
of the General Assembly.
(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than
thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be
filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president
pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force
from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall
schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not
later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
transportation shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2020, the task force shall submit a
report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation, in accordance with the provisions of section
11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date
that it submits such report or January 1, 2020, whichever is later.
Sec. 15. Subsection (c) of section 14-296aa of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective
October 1, 2019):
(c) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other
electronic device, including those with hands-free accessories, or a
mobile electronic device while operating a school bus that is carrying
passengers, except that this subsection shall not apply [to (1) a school
bus driver who] when such person (1) places an emergency call to
school officials, [or] (2) [the use of] uses a hand-held mobile telephone
as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of
this section, or (3) uses a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 21 of 30
electronic device in a manner similar to a two-way radio to allow real-
time communication with a school official, an emergency response
operator, a hospital, physician's office or health clinic, an ambulance
company, a fire department or a police department.
Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The Commissioners of
Administrative Services and Motor Vehicles shall jointly study the
current system used to evaluate motor carriers that provide or seek to
provide commercial motor vehicle services to the state or any
municipality and make recommendations to make such system more
efficient. Not later than January 1, 2020, the commissioners shall
submit a report of the results of such study to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation, in accordance with the provisions of section
11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 17. Section 13a-260 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Fully autonomous vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is
equipped with an automated driving system, designed to function
without an operator and classified as level four or level five by SAE
J3016;
(2) "Automated driving system" means the hardware and software
that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving
task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether the automated driving
system is limited to a specific operational design domain;
(3) "Dynamic driving task" means the real-time operational and
tactical functions required to operate a motor vehicle on highways,
excluding the strategic functions such as trip scheduling and selection
of destinations and waypoints; Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 22 of 30
(4) "Operational design domain" means a description of the
operating domains in which an automated driving system is designed
to function, including, but not limited to, geographic, roadway,
environmental and speed limitations;
(5) "SAE J3016" means the "Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms
Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles"
published by SAE International in September 2016;
(6) "Operator" means the person [seated in the driver's seat of a]
who causes the automated driving system to engage while physically
inside the fully autonomous vehicle;
(7) "Autonomous vehicle tester" means an autonomous vehicle
manufacturer, institution of higher education, fleet service provider or
automotive equipment or technology provider;
(8) "Fleet service provider" means a person or entity that owns or
leases a fully autonomous vehicle and operates such fully autonomous
vehicle for commercial or public use;
(9) "Autonomous vehicle manufacturer" means: (A) A person or
entity that builds or sells fully autonomous vehicles; (B) a person or
entity that installs automated driving systems in motor vehicles that
are not originally built as fully autonomous vehicles; or (C) a person or
entity that develops automated driving systems in fully autonomous
vehicles or motor vehicles that are not originally built as fully
autonomous vehicles;
(10) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
Management; and
(11) "Highway", "limited access highway" and "operator's license"
have the same meanings as defined in section 14-1, as amended by this
act. Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 23 of 30
(b) The Office of Policy and Management, in consultation with the
Departments of Motor Vehicles, Transportation and Emergency
Services and Public Protection, shall establish a pilot program for not
more than four municipalities to allow autonomous vehicle testers to
test fully autonomous vehicles on the highways of such municipalities.
Municipalities shall apply to the Secretary of the Office of Policy
Management in the manner and form directed by the secretary for
inclusion in the pilot program. The secretary shall select at least one
municipality with a population of at least one hundred twenty
thousand, but not more than one hundred twenty-four thousand, and
one municipality with a population of at least one hundred thousand,
as enumerated in the 2010 federal decennial census.
(c) The chief elected official or chief executive officer of a
municipality selected by the secretary shall select and enter into a
written agreement with an autonomous vehicle tester or autonomous
vehicle testers to test fully autonomous vehicles on the highways of the
municipality. Such agreement shall, at a minimum: (1) Specify the
locations and routes where such fully autonomous vehicles may
operate; (2) prohibit the operation of such fully autonomous vehicles
outside such locations and routes except in the case of an emergency;
(3) identify each fully autonomous vehicle to be tested by vehicle
identification number, make, year and model; and (4) specify the hours
of operation of such fully autonomous vehicles.
(d) An autonomous vehicle tester shall not test a fully autonomous
vehicle in a municipality unless:
(1) The operator is: (A) [Seated in the driver's seat of] Physically
inside the fully autonomous vehicle; (B) monitoring the operation of
such fully autonomous vehicle; (C) capable of taking immediate
manual control of such fully autonomous vehicle; (D) an employee,
independent contractor or other person designated and trained by the
autonomous vehicle tester concerning the capabilities and limitations Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 24 of 30
of such fully autonomous vehicle; and (E) a holder of an operator's
license;
(2) The autonomous vehicle tester: (A) Registers each fully
autonomous vehicle to be tested with the Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles pursuant to section 14-12; and (B) submits to the
commissioner, in a manner and form directed by the commissioner,
proof of liability insurance, self-insurance or a surety bond of at least
five million dollars for damages by reason of bodily injury, death or
property damage caused by a fully autonomous vehicle; and
(3) The operator and autonomous vehicle tester: (A) Comply with
any provision of the general statutes or any ordinance of a
municipality concerning the operation of motor vehicles; (B) comply
with standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration regarding fully autonomous vehicles; and (C) satisfy
any other requirement as determined by the secretary, in consultation
with the Commissioners of Motor Vehicles, Transportation and
Emergency Services and Public Protection, as necessary to ensure the
safe operation of such fully autonomous vehicle.
(e) No autonomous vehicle tester shall test a fully autonomous
vehicle on any limited access highway.
(f) The secretary may immediately prohibit an operator or
autonomous vehicle tester from testing a fully autonomous vehicle if
the secretary, in consultation with the Commissioners of Motor
Vehicles, Transportation and Emergency Services and Public
Protection, determines that such testing poses a risk to public safety or
that such operator or autonomous vehicle tester fails to comply with
the provisions of this section or with the requirements of the pilot
program.
(g) An autonomous vehicle tester that participates in the pilot Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 25 of 30
program shall provide information to the secretary and the task force
established pursuant to section 2 of public act 17-69 that the secretary
and task force deem to be appropriate for measuring the performance
of the pilot program. The autonomous vehicle tester may withhold any
commercially valuable, confidential or proprietary information.
(h) Not later than [January 1, 2019] July 1, 2020, and annually
thereafter, the secretary shall submit a report to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation, in accordance with section 11-4a, concerning
the implementation and progress of the pilot program.
Sec. 18. Section 2 of public act 17-69, as amended by section 8 of
public act 18-167, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) There is established a task force to study fully autonomous
vehicles. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) an
evaluation of the standards established by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration regarding state responsibilities for
regulating fully autonomous vehicles, (2) an evaluation of laws,
legislation and regulations proposed or enacted by other states to
regulate fully autonomous vehicles, (3) recommendations on how the
state should regulate fully autonomous vehicles through legislation
and regulation, and (4) an evaluation of the pilot program established
pursuant to section [1 of public act 17-69] 13a-260 of the general
statutes, as amended by this act.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 26 of 30
Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) One appointed by the Senate chairperson of the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation;
(8) One appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
matters relating to transportation;
(9) One appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation;
(10) Two appointed by the Governor, one of whom has expertise in
autonomous vehicles and one of whom has expertise in insurance;
(11) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the
secretary's designee;
(12) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the commissioner's
designee;
(13) The Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner's
designee; and
(14) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public
Protection, or the commissioner's designee.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivisions (1) Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 27 of 30
to (10), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of
the General Assembly.
(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than
thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be
filled by the appointing authority.
(e) [The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president
pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force
from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall
schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not
later than sixty days after June 27, 2017. If such chairpersons are not
selected or do not schedule the first meeting within such time period,
any] Any chair of the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation
[shall] may schedule [the first meeting] meetings of the task force [,] as
deemed necessary and act as chairperson of the task force [and
schedule other meetings of the task force as deemed necessary until
the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
tempore of the Senate select the chairpersons of the task force and such
chairpersons schedule a meeting of the task force] until the members of
the task force elect a chairperson from among its members. All
subsequent meetings of the task force shall be held at the call of the
elected chairperson or upon the request of a majority of the members.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
transportation shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) The task force shall submit, in accordance with section 11-4a of
the general statutes, the following reports regarding its findings and
any recommendations for proposed legislation to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to transportation: (1) An interim report not later than July 1, Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 28 of 30
[2019] 2020; and (2) a final report not later than January 1, [2020] 2021.
The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits the final
report or January 1, [2020] 2021, whichever is later.
Sec. 19. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 14-44c of the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(5) The person's statement, under oath, that such person meets the
[requirements for qualification contained] physical qualification
standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time;
Sec. 20. Subsection (b) of section 14-44e of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(b) The commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license or
a commercial driver's instruction permit to any applicant who [is not
physically qualified and medically certified in accordance with the
standards] does not meet the physical qualification standards set forth
in 49 CFR [391.41] 391, as amended from time to time. As required by
49 CFR 383.71(h), each applicant for a commercial driver's license or
commercial driver's instruction permit shall provide to the
commissioner a copy of a medical examiner's certificate, prepared by a
medical examiner, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, indicating that such
applicant is medically certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
For each applicant who has submitted such medical certification and
who has also certified, in accordance with 49 CFR 383.71(b) and
subsection (c) of section 14-44c, that such applicant operates in
nonexcepted interstate commerce, the commissioner shall post a
medical certification status of "certified" on the Commercial Driver's
License Information System driver record for such applicant. The
holder of a commercial driver's license who has not been examined
and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 29 of 30
the preceding twenty-four months, or a shorter period as indicated by
the medical examiner submitting such certificate, shall be required to
submit a new medical certificate. The commissioner shall not issue a
commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit
to any applicant or holder who fails to submit the medical certification
required by this section. If the holder of a commercial driver's license
or commercial driver's instruction permit fails to submit a new medical
examiner's certificate before the expiration of twenty-four months or
the period specified by the medical examiner, whichever is shorter, the
commissioner shall, not later than sixty days after the date that such
holder's medical status becomes uncertified: (1) Downgrade the
commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license; or (2) cancel
the commercial driver's instruction permit. Any applicant or holder
who is denied a commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's
instruction permit, or whose license or permit is disqualified,
suspended, revoked or cancelled pursuant to this subsection shall be
granted an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 54.
Sec. 21. Subdivision (27) of section 14-1 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2019):
(27) "Disqualification" means a withdrawal of the privilege to drive
a commercial motor vehicle, which occurs as a result of (A) any
suspension, revocation, or cancellation by the commissioner of the
privilege to operate a motor vehicle; (B) a determination by the Federal
Highway Administration, under the rules of practice for motor carrier
safety contained in 49 CFR 386, as amended from time to time, that a
person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle
under the standards [of] set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time
to time; or (C) the loss of qualification which follows any of the
convictions or administrative actions specified in section 14-44k; Substitute Senate Bill No. 924
Public Act No. 19-119 30 of 30