H 1280 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act regulating insurance coverage for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles and establishing school zone safety protocol

This bill establishes insurance requirements for autonomous vehicles (AVs) operating in Massachusetts, mandating coverage for general liability, product defects, cybersecurity risks, and pedestrian safety. It requires AVs in school zones to automatically reduce speed to 15 mph via location technology, detect pedestrians within 50 feet, and halt when school buses display stop signals. Testing is prohibited during school hours unless authorized with enhanced monitoring. The law also creates a state insurance pool for AV companies, sets fines up to $50,000 for noncompliance, and mandates public safety reporting on AV incidents.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Dec 1, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Financial Services
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Francisco Paulino
Francisco Paulino
DDemocratic
MA
16th Essex