Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens civil‑rights protections and accessibility for people with disabilities and provides industry clarity for automated driving systems, but it raises risks of driver job loss, reduced local regulatory control, privacy gaps, and costs or delays for states and cities.
People with disabilities will gain clearer, enforceable access to ADS ride‑hail services (ADA-based coverage, access to licenses, and guidance on curb/pickup design), reducing transportation barriers and improving independence.
Qualified disabled individuals will have expanded mobility options (ability to hold licenses for Level 4–5 ADS vehicles and guidance supporting accessible infrastructure), which can increase access to jobs and services.
Automated vehicle companies and platforms gain regulatory and technical certainty by adopting SAE J3016 terminology and a single federal 'Secretary' authority to interpret ADS levels, reducing ambiguity for developers and investors.
Ride‑hail drivers and related transportation workers face increased risk of job displacement as the bill explicitly enables driverless dispatched vehicles.
Local governments may lose flexibility to regulate ADS operations because federal SAE definitions and a centralized Secretary interpretation could preempt inconsistent local rules.
Passengers could face privacy and data‑sharing risks from expanded online dispatch and platform systems if the bill does not add concrete data protections.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits state licensing that discriminates against people with disabilities for driverless (Level 4–5) ride-hail ADS vehicles and funds a $5M study on accessibility and curbside infrastructure.
Introduced July 15, 2025 by Greg Stanton · Last progress July 15, 2025
Prohibits state motor-vehicle licensing practices that would discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities when operating or using driverless (Level 4–5) automated driving system (ADS) vehicles offered as paid, pre-arranged ride-hail trips. Adopts ADA and federal public-transportation definitions and SAE automated-vehicle definitions to set the scope. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to work with the National Academies to study what changes to public-transportation and curbside infrastructure would help people with disabilities find, access, and use ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles (including non-visual access and pickup/drop-off design). Authorizes $5,000,000 to fund that study, available until expended.