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Bill

SD 345

Resolve establishing a special commission to investigate and study the protection of junior operators

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Patrick O'Connor

Creates a special commission to study junior-operator laws and safety, review passenger limits, penalties, and extra education, with a report and recommendations due by 12/1/2026.

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Bill Summary · SD 345

Summary: Senate Docket No. 345 — Resolve establishing a special commission to investigate and study the protection of junior operators

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a special commission to study laws and regulations related to junior operator licenses and vehicle safety for minors.
  • Goal: increase driver safety and reduce traffic fatalities among young drivers.
  • The study intends to consider measures such as deterrents to unlawful operation, passenger restrictions for junior operators, strengthened penalties for roadway violations, expanded driver education and training hours, and ongoing education for junior drivers.

Key provisions

  • Create a special commission to examine laws and regulations governing junior operator licenses and minor vehicle safety, including but not limited to:

    • (i) Further deterrents from operating a vehicle unlawfully
    • (ii) Prohibiting junior operators from carrying passengers in vehicles
    • (iii) Increasing penalties for roadway violations
    • (iv) Additional driver’s education and training hours
    • (v) Continuing education for junior drivers

  • Commission composition:

    • Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), or designee (chair)
    • Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), or designee
    • Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV), or designee
    • President of the Senate, or designee
    • Senate minority leader, or designee
    • Speaker of the House, or designee
    • House minority leader, or designee
    • An instructor of a driver education program, appointed by the Governor

  • Deliverable:

    • The commission must report its findings and any legislative recommendations to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Timeline and process

  • Reporting deadline: no later than December 1, 2026.
  • The report may include recommendations for legislation, enabling the General Court to consider policy changes based on the commission’s findings.
  • The measure is a “Resolve,” meaning it directs state agencies and the General Court to study a topic rather than directly enact new law.

Who is affected

  • Junior operators (minors) and their safety outcomes
  • Driver education programs and instructors
  • State agencies: EOPSS, DOT, RMV
  • Members of the Massachusetts General Court (Senate and House) and their leadership
  • Governor (appointing the driver education instructor)

Additional context

  • This proposal mirrors a prior related measure from the previous session (Senate No. 2283, 2023-2024), indicating ongoing interest in strengthening protections for junior drivers.

Status

  • Proposed bill introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court session as Senate Docket No. 345 (Resolve establishing a special commission to investigate and study the protection of junior operators). Specific stated introduction date in the provided materials is November 29, 2025, with the formal docket entry filed earlier in January 2025. The bill is a non-binding resolve that would guide study and reporting.

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

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