Prohibits states from issuing motor vehicle operator's licenses for Level 4 or Level 5 ADS-equipped vehicles in a manner that discriminates against individuals with disabilities. Requires the adherence to title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act in licensing practices for such vehicles. Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to collaborate with the National Academies on a study to assess public transportation infrastructure improvements for accessibility to ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles. Tasks the study with identifying options to enhance safe access for individuals with disabilities, including technological solutions and dedicated zones for pickup and drop-off. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for the accessible infrastructure study, available until expended.
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HR 4419 AV Accessibility Act 2025
ETO AGORA · U.S. federal laws · 2025
Summary
Prohibits states from issuing motor vehicle operator's licenses for Level 4 or Level 5 ADS-equipped vehicles in a manner that discriminates against individuals with disabilities.
Requires the adherence to title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act in licensing practices for such vehicles.
Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to collaborate with the National Academies on a study to assess public transportation infrastructure improvements for accessibility to ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles.
Tasks the study with identifying options to enhance safe access for individuals with disabilities, including technological solutions and dedicated zones for pickup and drop-off.
Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for the accessible infrastructure study, available until expended.
Prohibits states from issuing licenses for Level 4 or 5 ADS-equipped vehicles that discriminate against disabilities.
119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4419
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.
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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
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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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
States the short title as the "Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act" or "AV Accessibility Act".
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act'' or the ``AV Accessibility Act''.
Defines terms relevant to transportation, including "ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicle" and SAE-defined terms for autonomous vehicles.
SEC. 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.
Prohibits states from discriminating against individuals with disabilities when licensing ADS-equipped vehicle operators.
SEC. 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.
Requires the Secretary to commission a study on improving accessibility of ADS-equipped ride-hail vehicles for disabilities.
SEC. 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.
Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 to implement section 4, available until fully expended.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out section 4, to be available until expended.