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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2268 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1280
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Francisco E. Paulino
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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 regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and
establishing school zone safety protocol.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Francisco E. Paulino16th Essex1/15/2025 1 of 6
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2268 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1280
By Representative Paulino of Methuen, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1280) of
Francisco E. Paulino relative to insurance coverage for testing and deployment of and school
zone safety protocol for autonomous vehicles. Financial Services.
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 regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and
establishing school zone safety protocol.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
2sections:
3 Section 64. Definitions
4 As used in sections 64 to 67, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context
5clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
6 "Autonomous Vehicle" or "AV", a motor vehicle equipped with technology that allows
7the vehicle to operate without the active control or monitoring of a human operator under
8specific conditions.
9 "Manufacturer", a person or entity that designs, manufactures, or modifies vehicles to
10incorporate autonomous driving technology. 2 of 6
11 "Testing Company", an entity authorized to conduct on-road testing of autonomous
12vehicles within the Commonwealth.
13 "Cybersecurity Liability Insurance", insurance coverage that protects against financial
14and legal risks arising from unauthorized access to or control of vehicle systems or data.
15 "Product Liability Insurance", insurance coverage that protects the manufacturer from
16liability resulting from defects or malfunctions in the autonomous technology.
17 Section 65. Insurance Requirements for Autonomous Vehicles
18 (a) Autonomous vehicles operating on public roads in the Commonwealth shall comply
19with insurance requirements established by the Division of Insurance (DOI), in consultation with
20the Department of Transportation (MassDOT). These requirements shall ensure adequate
21coverage for:
22 General liability risks associated with AV operations, including testing and deployment.
23 Product liability to address claims from defects in autonomous technology.
24 Cybersecurity risks, including unauthorized access, hacking, and operational disruptions.
25 Personal Injury Protection (PIP), consistent with the Commonwealth’s no-fault insurance
26laws.
27 Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
28 (b) The DOI shall establish minimum coverage amounts, with specific thresholds for
29testing and deployment phases, and shall adjust such amounts based on operational profiles and
30risk assessments. 3 of 6
31 (c) The DOI and MassDOT shall establish a joint task force to ensure coordination in
32implementing insurance and operational requirements, including data sharing and reporting
33mechanisms.
34 (d) All autonomous vehicle operations, including testing and deployment, shall comply
35with the requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation
36(MassDOT), including but not limited to, those set forth under Executive Order 572 and any duly
37promulgated regulations or guidelines issued by MassDOT or the Autonomous Vehicles
38Working Group.
39 Section 66. School Zone Safety Protocols for Autonomous Vehicles
40 (a) Speed Restrictions: Autonomous vehicles operating in designated school zones shall
41automatically reduce speed to a maximum of 15 miles per hour using geofencing technology.
42 (b) Pedestrian Detection and Stop Mechanisms: AVs shall employ pedestrian detection
43systems capable of identifying individuals within 50 feet of a crosswalk and stopping when a
44pedestrian is detected.
45 (c) Prohibition on Testing During Active School Hours: Testing of AVs in school zones
46is prohibited during active school hours or high pedestrian traffic periods unless permitted by
47MassDOT with enhanced monitoring requirements. Limited testing for the purpose of improving
48school zone safety may be allowed under strict supervision and additional safeguards.
49 (d) Geofencing for School Buses: AVs shall recognize and respect geofenced zones
50around school buses and halt when a bus displays extended stop signs or flashing lights. 4 of 6
51 (e) Municipal Autonomy and Coordination: Municipalities may enact additional
52operational requirements for autonomous vehicles, provided such requirements are:
53 Consistent with state regulations established under this act;
54 Reviewed and approved by MassDOT to ensure uniformity and compliance across the
55Commonwealth; and
56 Clearly communicated to AV operators at least 60 days prior to enforcement to allow
57adequate preparation and compliance.
58 Section 67. Additional Provisions and Enforcement
59 (a) State-Managed Insurance Pool:
60 The DOI shall establish and manage an insurance pool to support AV companies,
61distributing risk and providing financial stability for high-risk operations.
62 The DOI shall promulgate regulations within 180 days of the effective date of this act,
63specifying funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, and operational guidelines for the insurance
64pool.
65 (b) Penalties for Noncompliance:
66 MassDOT is authorized to enforce compliance with autonomous vehicle regulations,
67including the imposition of fines up to $50,000 per violation, suspension of permits, or other
68penalties as deemed necessary.
69 (c) Public Engagement and Transparency: 5 of 6
70 MassDOT shall establish a public reporting system for autonomous vehicle incidents,
71including accidents, near misses, and operational disengagements.
72 Annual reports summarizing safety data and regulatory compliance shall be published
73and made available to the public.
74 MassDOT shall host biannual public forums to engage residents, address concerns, and
75provide updates on AV operations.
76 (d) Periodic Reviews:
77 The DOI, in consultation with MassDOT, shall review and update AV insurance
78requirements every three years to reflect advancements in technology and emerging risks.
79 (e) Federal Compliance:
80 The provisions of this act shall comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations
81governing autonomous vehicles.
82 (f) Workforce Development and Training:
83 The Commonwealth shall allocate funding for workforce development initiatives to train
84residents for careers in autonomous vehicle technology, including software development,
85maintenance, and regulatory oversight.
86 (g) Environmental Impact Standards:
87 All autonomous vehicles operating within the Commonwealth shall meet low-emission or
88zero-emission vehicle standards as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
89Protection. 6 of 6
90 (h) Emergency Vehicle Interaction Certification:
91 Autonomous vehicle operators shall demonstrate the capability to detect and respond to
92emergency vehicles and personnel during operational testing. Certification of this capability shall
93be required before deployment.
94 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect 120 days after its passage.