PRINTER'S NO. 606
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
542
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY LAUGHLIN, FARNESE, BARTOLOTTA, MENSCH AND
TARTAGLIONE, APRIL 10, 2019
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 10, 2019
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for
definitions; in certificate of title and security interests,
further providing for vehicles not requiring certificate of
title; in registration of vehicles, further providing for
vehicles exempt from registration; in rules of the road in
general, further providing for prohibitions in specified
places; in special vehicles and pedestrians, providing for
electric low-speed scooters; in miscellaneous provisions,
further providing for driving upon sidewalk; and, in powers
of Department of Transportation and local authorities,
further providing for specific powers of Department of
Transportation and local authorities.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "motor vehicle" in section 102
of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended
and the section is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
provisions of this title which are applicable to specific
provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when
used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly
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indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
* * *
"Electric low-speed scooter." A device weighing less than
100 pounds that:
(1) has two or three wheels, a handlebar and a
floorboard which can be stood upon while riding;
(2) is solely powered by an electric motor or human
power, or both; and
(3) has a maximum speed, with or without human
propulsion, of not more than 20 miles per hour on a paved
level surface.
* * *
"Motor vehicle." A vehicle which is self-propelled except an
electric personal assistive mobility device, an electric low-
speed scooter or a vehicle which is propelled solely by human
power.
* * *
Section 2. Sections 1102 and 1302 of Title 75 are amended by
adding paragraphs to read:
§ 1102. Vehicles not requiring certificate of title.
No certificate of title is required for:
* * *
(13) An electric low-speed scooter.
§ 1302. Vehicles exempt from registration.
The following types of vehicles are exempt from registration:
* * *
(24) An electric low-speed scooter.
Section 3. Section 3353(a)(1)(ii) of Title 75 is amended to
read:
§ 3353. Prohibitions in specified places.
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(a) General rule.--Except when necessary to avoid conflict
with other traffic or to protect the safety of any person or
vehicle or in compliance with law or the directions of a police
officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall:
(1) Stop, stand or park a vehicle:
* * *
(ii) On a sidewalk except that a pedalcycle may be
parked as provided in section [3509(b)(2)] 3509(a)(2).
* * *
Section 4. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 3515. Electric low-speed scooters.
(a) General rule.--Every person operating an electric low-
speed scooter shall be granted all of the rights and shall be
subject to all of the duties applicable to the operator of a
pedalcycle by this subchapter, except as to those provisions of
this subchapter which by their nature can have no application.
(b) Age and speed requirement.--No person under the age
sufficient to operate an automobile shall operate an electric
low-speed scooter, and no person shall operate an electric low-
speed scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.
(c) Lamps and reflectors.--Every electric low-speed scooter
when operated on a sidewalk, sidewalk area or highway between
sunset and sunrise shall be equipped on the front with a lamp
which emits a beam of white light intended to illuminate the
scooter operator's path and visible from a distance of at least
500 feet in front, a red reflector facing to the rear which is
visible at least 500 feet to the rear and a reflector on each
side.
(d) Electric low-speed scooters prohibited on freeways.--No
person shall operate an electric low-speed scooter on a freeway.
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(e) Application of subchapter.--The provisions of this
subchapter apply whenever an electric low-speed scooter is
operated or parked in this Commonwealth, subject to the
exceptions stated in subsection (a).
Section 5. Section 3703 of Title 75 is amended by adding a
subsection to read:
§ 3703. Driving upon sidewalk.
* * *
(d) Electric low-speed scooters.--Unless prohibited by
ordinance, a municipality shall permit the operation of an
electric low-speed scooter on a sidewalk or sidewalk area. A
municipality may impose such restrictions as may be necessary to
protect the interests of pedestrians and others using the
sidewalk or sidewalk area.
Section 6. Section 6109(a) of Title 75 is amended by adding
a paragraph to read:
§ 6109. Specific powers of department and local authorities.
(a) Enumeration of police powers.--The provisions of this
title shall not be deemed to prevent the department on State-
designated highways and local authorities on streets or highways
within their physical boundaries from the reasonable exercise of
their police powers. The following are presumed to be reasonable
exercises of police power:
* * *
(25) Regulating the use of electric low-speed scooters
consistent with the regulation of pedalcycles.
* * *
Section 7. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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