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.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars). It prohibits states from discriminating based on disability when issuing licenses for Level 4 or Level 5 autonomous vehicles, and requires a study on how to make ride-hail autonomous vehicle infrastructure more accessible.
Who Benefits and How
- People with disabilities benefit from explicit legal protection against discrimination in autonomous vehicle licensing, expanding their mobility options.
- National Academies receives funding authorization of $5 million to conduct the accessibility infrastructure study.
- Autonomous vehicle companies benefit indirectly from a larger potential customer base as accessibility improves.
Who Bears the Burden and How
- State motor vehicle licensing agencies must ensure their AV licensing processes comply with non-discrimination requirements.
- Federal budget/taxpayers bear the $5 million cost for the infrastructure study.
Key Provisions
- Prohibits states from discriminating based on disability when licensing AV operators
- Requires National Academies study on accessible infrastructure for ride-hail AVs
- Authorizes $5 million for the infrastructure study
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Prohibits states from discriminating against people with disabilities when issuing licenses for autonomous vehicle operation, and directs a study on accessible infrastructure for ride-hail autonomous vehicles.
Key Policy Areas
Transportation, Disability Rights, Civil Rights
Primary Purpose
Prohibits states from discriminating against people with disabilities when issuing licenses for autonomous vehicle operation, and directs a study on accessible infrastructure for ride-hail autonomous vehicles.
Policy Domains
Section 3 - Licensing
Identified Gains
- People with disabilities
- Disability rights organizations
Identified Costs
- State motor vehicle licensing agencies
Section 4 - Accessible infrastructure study
Identified Gains
- National Academies
- People with disabilities
Identified Costs
- Federal budget/taxpayers
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Stanton (for himself and Mr. Mast) introduced the following …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Disability accessibility researchers, National Academies
Transportation infrastructure consultants
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Transportation
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Has the meaning given in section 12102 of title 42, U.S. Code (ADA definition)
An ADS-equipped vehicle offered for pre-arranged transportation services for compensation, using an app or platform, and dispatched in driverless operation
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology