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H 1280

An Act regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and establishing school zone safety protocol

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Francisco Paulino

Regulates insurance coverage for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment, and imposes school-zone safety protocols to protect students, with minimums and state oversight.

Accompanied a study order, see H4777
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Bill Summary · H 1280

Summary: Bill H.1280 – An Act regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and establishing school zone safety protocol

Overview

  • Bill number: H.1280
  • Title: An Act regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and establishing school zone safety protocol
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status and schedule: Hearing on May 27, 2025, 10:30 AM–1:00 PM, in room A-2
  • Referred to: Committee on Financial Services (02/27/2025)
  • Related: HD 2268 (replaces)

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to:
- Regulate insurance coverage for autonomous vehicles (AVs) operating in Massachusetts, including testing and deployment.
- Establish specific safety and operational protocols for AVs in school zones.
- Create state-level coordination and oversight mechanisms among insurance regulators, transportation agencies, and local governments.
- Promote public transparency, workforce development, environmental standards, and alignment with federal law.

Key provisions

Section 64 – Definitions

  • Defines terms for the act, including:
    • Autonomous Vehicle (AV)
    • Manufacturer
    • Testing Company
    • Cybersecurity Liability Insurance
    • Product Liability Insurance

Section 65 – Insurance Requirements for Autonomous Vehicles

(a) Coverage standards:
- AVs on public roads must meet insurance requirements set by the Division of Insurance (DOI), in consultation with MassDOT.
- Required coverages include:
- General liability (testing and deployment)
- Product liability (defects in autonomous tech)
- Cybersecurity liability
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) per no-fault laws
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

(b) Minimum coverage amounts:
- DOI to establish minimums with distinct thresholds for testing vs. deployment.
- Amounts adjustable based on operational profiles and risk assessments.

(c) Coordination:
- A joint DOI–MassDOT task force for data sharing and reporting.

(d) Compliance:
- All AV operations must comply with MassDOT regulations and any directives (including Executive Order 572).

Section 66 – School Zone Safety Protocols

(a) Speed: AVs in designated school zones must geofence to a maximum of 15 mph.

(b) Pedestrian safety: AVs must have pedestrian detection within 50 feet of crosswalks and stop when a pedestrian is detected.

(c) Testing restrictions: Testing in school zones prohibited during active school hours or high pedestrian traffic unless MassDOT permits with enhanced monitoring; limited testing may be allowed under strict safeguards.

(d) School bus geofencing: AVs must respect geofenced zones around school buses (stop signs/fluorescent lights recognized).

(e) Municipal autonomy: Localities may add requirements if consistent with state rules, MassDOT-approved, and communicated to operators 60 days before enforcement.

Section 67 – Additional Provisions and Enforcement

(a) State-managed insurance pool:
- DOI to establish an insurance pool to support AV operations; regulations to be issued within 180 days of enactment.

(b) Penalties:
- MassDOT may enforce regulations with fines up to $50,000 per violation, plus potential permit suspensions.

(c) Public engagement and transparency:
- Public reporting system for AV incidents (accidents, near misses, disengagements).
- Annual safety/compliance reports; biannual public forums.

(d) Periodic reviews:
- DOI and MassDOT to review/update insurance requirements every three years.

(e) Federal compliance:
- Provisions must conform with applicable federal law.

(f) Workforce development:
- Funding for AV-related workforce training (software, maintenance, regulatory roles).

(g) Environmental standards:
- AVs must meet MA low-emission or zero-emission standards per DEP definitions.

(h) Emergency vehicle interaction:
- Operators must certify the ability to detect/respond to emergency vehicles before deployment.

Implementation timeline

  • Effective date: 120 days after enactment.
  • DOI MassDOT coordination, insurance pool regulations: regulatory actions expected within specified windows (e.g., 180 days for pool regulations).

Stakeholders and impact

  • Affected groups: AV manufacturers, testing companies, insurers (DOI-regulated), MassDOT, municipalities, school districts, AV operators, and the general public.
  • Impacts include new minimum insurance requirements, enhanced school-zone safety protocols, potential testing restrictions, a state-backed insurance pool, enforcement penalties, and ongoing reporting/oversight.
  • Alignment with federal standards and environmental considerations noted; workforce and public engagement components emphasize broader ecosystem readiness.

Procedural notes

  • Public hearing scheduled for May 27, 2025 (10:30 AM–1:00 PM, A-2).
  • Referred to the Financial Services committee on February 27, 2025.
  • Senate concurrence indicated in the legislative actions, with related HD 2268 referenced as replacing.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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