Section 159A 1/2:2 - Jurisdiction of division; transportation network companies(a) The division shall have jurisdiction over transportation network companies to ensure the safety and convenience of the public, as expressly set forth in this chapter.(b) In consultation with the registry of motor vehicles, the division shall provide for the establishment of removable decals to be issued by transportation network companies, in a form and manner prescribed by the division, to transportation network drivers to designate a vehicle as a transportation network vehicle for law enforcement and public safety purposes. The decal shall be applied to both the front and back panels of a vehicle at all times while the vehicle is providing transportation network services. A transportation network driver who provides transportation network services using the digital network of more than 1 transportation network company shall display the respective decals for each transportation network company while the vehicle is providing transportation network services. A transportation network driver who ceases to be certified to provide transportation network services for any reason shall return the decal within 14 days of that cessation to the respective transportation network company in the manner and form prescribed by the division.(c) In consultation with the commissioner of insurance, the division shall implement the insurance policy requirements established in section 228 of chapter 175.(d) A transportation network company shall provide clear and conspicuous transportation fare estimates to riders at all times, including during surge pricing, high volume and high demand times. Fare estimates shall include a clear rate estimate or the amount of the price increase resulting from surge pricing or increased demand.(e) A transportation network company and driver shall not raise base fares during a federal or a governor-declared state of emergency.(f) In consultation with state police, local law enforcement and the registry of motor vehicles, the division shall ensure the safety and annual inspection of transportation network vehicles, including a transportation network vehicle inspection pursuant to section 7A of chapter 90. A transportation network driver shall obtain a transportation network vehicle inspection at the driver's next annual emissions testing or within 12 months of obtaining a transportation network driver certificate, whichever comes first.(g) The division shall ensure the accommodation of riders with special needs. A transportation network company shall not impose additional charges or increase fares when providing services to persons with disabilities and all transportation network drivers shall comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the accommodation of service animals.(h) A transportation network company shall not be subject to the department's rate or common carrier requirements pursuant to chapters 159, 159A or 159B.(i) A transportation network company shall provide a driver's name, picture and the license plate number of the vehicle in use to a rider on any digital network used to facilitate a pre-arranged ride.(j) In consultation with the division, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's highway division shall provide for the issuance of electronic toll transponders set at the commercial vehicle rate to be issued by transportation network companies to transportation network drivers. The electronic toll transponders shall be used each time a transportation network driver provides transportation network services on a toll road, bridge or tunnel; provided, however, that the issuance of an electronic toll transponder pursuant to this subsection shall not prohibit a transportation network driver from establishing or maintaining an electronic toll transponder account for personal use.(k) In consultation with the division, a transportation network company shall provide its ride data to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the department shall cross-reference that data with its toll data to ensure that tolls incurred by a driver providing transportation network services through a digital network are paid at the commercial rate through the pay by plate system and through the electronic transponder system.(l) A transportation network company shall notify the division upon receipt of information that a driver utilizing its network has violated a law or rule or regulation related to the provision of transportation network services or that the driver is not suitable to provide transportation network services.(m) If, after the division issued a background check clearance certificate, the division is notified by a transportation network company, law enforcement or government entity that a driver is unsuitable and the division verifies the unsuitability, the division shall immediately revoke or suspend the background check clearance certificate and shall notify the driver and each transportation network company who issued the driver a driver certificate that the background check clearance certificate has been revoked or suspended. The division shall issue rules and regulations to establish a process for a driver to appeal a revocation or suspension. The rules or regulations shall include an opportunity for a hearing. A driver aggrieved by a final order or decision of the division pursuant to this subsection or subsection (d) of section 3 may institute proceedings for judicial review in the superior court within 30 days after receipt of such order or decision. Any proceedings in the superior court shall, insofar as applicable, be governed by section 14 of chapter 30A, and may be instituted in the superior court for the county:
(i) where the parties or any of them reside or have their principal place of business within the commonwealth;(ii) where the division has its principal place of business; or(iii) of Suffolk. The commencement of such proceedings shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the division's order or decision.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 159A 1/2, § 2
Added by Acts 2016, c. 187,§ 4, eff. 11/3/2016.