PARK IT Act
Bill: S.1268 | Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Protecting Americans from the Risks of Keyless Ignition Technology Act or the PARK IT Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize regulations relating to automatic shutoff systems for motor vehicles and standards to prevent the movement of vehicles in specific situations.
Specifically, DOT must require manufacturers to install technology in each motor vehicle (not including a battery electric vehicle) with a keyless ignition device and an internal combustion engine to automatically shut off the vehicle after the vehicle has idled for a period necessary to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, it must be installed in each motor vehicle with a keyless ignition device and automatic transmission to prevent movement (i.e., rollaway) of the vehicle if (1) the transmission of the vehicle is not in the park setting, (2) the vehicle does not exceed the speed determined by DOT, (3) the door for the operator of the vehicle is open, (4) the seat belt of the operator of the vehicle is unbuckled, and (5) the service brake of the vehicle is not engaged.

To require the Secretary of Transportation to finalize rules to protect 
consumers from the risks of motor vehicle rollaways and carbon monoxide 
poisoning from keyless ignition motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Americans from the Risks 
of Keyless Ignition Technology Act'' or the ``PARK IT Act''.

SEC. 2. RULEMAKING TO INSTALL AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF SYSTEMS AND ROLLAWAY 
              PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Key.--The term ``key'' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 571.114 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
        successor regulations).
            (2) Manufacturer.--The term ``manufacturer'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 30102(a) of title 49, United 
        States Code.
            (3) Motor vehicle.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``motor vehicle'' has the 
                meaning given the term in section 30102(a) of title 49, 
                United States Code.
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``motor vehicle'' does 
                not include--
                            (i) a motorcycle or trailer (as those terms 
                        are defined in section 571.3 of title 49, Code 
                        of Federal Regulations) (or successor 
                        regulations);
                            (ii) any motor vehicle that is rated at 
                        more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicular weight; 
                        or
                            (iii) for purposes of subsection (b), a 
                        battery electric vehicle.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
    (b) Automatic Shutoff Systems for Motor Vehicles.--
            (1) Final rule.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                issue a final rule amending section 571.114 of title 
                49, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Federal 
                Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 114), to require 
                manufacturers to install in each motor vehicle equipped 
                with a keyless ignition device and an internal 
                combustion engine technology to automatically shut off 
                the motor vehicle after the motor vehicle has idled for 
                the period designated under subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Period described.--
                            (i) In general.--The period referred to in 
                        subparagraph (A) is the period designated by 
                        the Secretary as necessary to prevent carbon 
                        monoxide poisoning.
                            (ii) Different periods.--The Secretary may 
                        designate different periods under clause (i) 
                        for different types of motor vehicles, 
                        depending on the rate at which the motor 
                        vehicle emits carbon monoxide, if--
                                    (I) the Secretary determines a 
                                different period is necessary for a 
                                type of motor vehicle for purposes of 
                                section 30111 of title 49, United 
                                States Code; and
                                    (II) requiring a different period 
                                for a type of motor vehicle is 
                                consistent with the prevention of 
                                carbon monoxide poisoning.
            (2) Deadline.--The rule under paragraph (1) shall become 
        effective on September 1 of the first calendar year beginning 
        after the date on which the Secretary issues that rule.
    (c) Preventing Motor Vehicles From Rolling Away.--
            (1) Requirement.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule 
        amending part 571 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
        require manufacturers to install technology to prevent movement 
        of motor vehicles equipped with keyless ignition devices and 
        automatic transmissions if--
                    (A) the transmission of the motor vehicle is not in 
                the park setting;
                    (B) the motor vehicle does not exceed the speed 
                determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2);
                    (C) the seat belt of the operator of the motor 
                vehicle is unbuckled;
                    (D) the service brake of the motor vehicle is not 
                engaged; and
                    (E) the door for the operator of the motor vehicle 
                is open.
            (2) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the 
        maximum speed at which a motor vehicle may be safely locked in 
        place under the conditions described in subparagraphs (A), (C), 
        (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) to prevent vehicle rollaways.
            (3) Deadline.--The rule under paragraph (1) shall become 
        effective on September 1 of the first calendar year beginning 
        after the date on which the Secretary issues that rule.
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