H.R. 4419

119 HR 4419 IH: Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-07-15
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 4419  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   July 15, 2025   Mr. Stanton  (for himself and  Mr. Mast ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure    A BILL
To prohibit a State from issuing a motor vehicle operator’s license for the operation or use of an ADS-equipped vehicle operating at Level 4 or Level 5 in a manner that discriminates on the basis of disability.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act   or the   AV Accessibility Act  .
2.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Disability
The term  disability  has the meaning given the term in section 12102 of title 42, United States Code.
(2)
Public transportation
The term  public transportation  has the meaning given the term in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code.
(3)
Ride-hail ads-equipped vehicle
The term  ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicle  means an ADS-equipped vehicle that is—
(A)
offered for pre-arranged transportation services for compensation, using an online-enabled application or electronic platform to connect passengers with vehicles; and
(B)
dispatched in driverless operation.
(4)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of Transportation.
(5)
SAE-defined terms
The terms  ADS-equipped vehicle ,  dispatch ,  Level 4 ,  Level 5 , and  driverless operation  have the meanings given such terms in the document titled SAE International Recommended Practice J3016, published in April 2021, or by a revision of that such document subsequently adopted by the Secretary.
3.
Licensing
In accordance with title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( 42 U.S.C. 12132 ), a State shall not issue a motor vehicle operator’s license for the operation or use of an ADS-equipped vehicle operating at Level 4 or Level 5 in a manner that discriminates on the basis of disability against a qualified individual with a disability.
4.
Accessible infrastructure study
The Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study to—
(1)
determine changes to public transportation infrastructure that would improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to find, access, and use ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles, including during pickup and dropoff; and
(2)
identify options to simplify safe access of ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles, such as non-visual access for individuals with disabilities, including the consideration of—
(A)
technological solutions for dynamic curb management;
(B)
sidewalk and roadway design;
(C)
dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones;
(D)
curb extension;
(E)
infrastructure design; and
(F)
other factors that can better enable individuals with disabilities to safely locate, enter, use, and exit ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles during pickup and dropoff.
5.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out section 4, to be available until expended.