Vehicle equipment: driver monitoring defeat devices.

Existing law regulates vehicles, including autonomous vehicles and autonomous technology in vehicles. Existing law prohibits vehicles from being equipped with certain equipment, including, among other things, theft alarm systems that emit the sound of a siren. Existing law also prohibits vehicles from being equipped with a device that is designed for, or is capable of, jamming, scrambling, neutralizing, disabling, or interfering with radar, laser, or any other electronic device used by a law enforcement agency to measure the speed of moving objects. This bill would prohibit vehicles from being equipped with a device that is specifically designed for, marketed for, or being used for, neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with a driver monitoring system, as defined, that is engaged when drivers are utilizing advanced driver assistance system features or autonomous technology, as defined. The bill would prohibit a person from using, buying, possessing, manufacturing, selling, advertising for sale, or otherwise distributing a device that is specifically designed for neutralizing, disabling, or otherwise interfering with a driver monitoring system that is engaged when drivers are utilizing advanced driver assistance system features or autonomous technology. The bill would make a violation of the above provisions an infraction. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.