(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Eligible entity.” Means a corporation, partnership, association, firm, sole proprietorship, or other entity engaged in business.
(2) “Personal delivery device.” Means an electrically powered device to which all of the following apply:
A. The device is intended primarily to transport property and cargo on sidewalks and crosswalks.
B. The device weighs less than 250 pounds excluding any property or cargo being carried in the device.
C. The device has a maximum speed of ten miles per hour.
D. The device is equipped with technology that enables the operation of the device with active control or monitoring by a person, without active control or monitoring by a person, or both with or without active control or monitoring by a person.
(3) “Personal delivery device operator.” Means an agent of an eligible entity who exercises direct physical control over, or monitoring of, the navigation and operation of a personal delivery device. The phrase does not include, with respect to a delivery or other service rendered by a personal delivery device, the person who requests the delivery or service. The phrase also does not include a person who only arranges for and dispatches a personal delivery device for a delivery or other service.
(b) An eligible entity may operate a personal delivery device on sidewalks and crosswalks so long as all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The personal delivery device is operated in accordance with all regulations, if any, established by each local authority within which the personal delivery device is operated.
(2) A personal delivery device operator is actively controlling or monitoring the navigation and operation of the personal delivery device.
(3) The eligible entity maintains an insurance policy that includes general liability coverage of not less than $100,000 for damages arising from the operation of the personal delivery device by the eligible entity and any agent of the eligible entity.
(4) The device is equipped with all of the following:
A. A marker that clearly identifies the name and contact information of the eligible entity operating the personal delivery device and a unique identification number;
B. A braking system that enables the personal delivery device to come to a controlled stop;
C. If the personal delivery device is being operated between sunset and sunrise, a light on both the front and rear of the personal delivery device that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and rear of the personal delivery device when directly in front of low beams of headlights on a motor vehicle.
(c) No personal delivery device operator shall allow a personal delivery device to do any of the following:
(1) Fail to comply with traffic or pedestrian control devices and signals;
(2) Unreasonably interfere with pedestrians or traffic;
(3) Transport any hazardous material that would require a permit issued by the Public Utilities Commission;
(4) Operate on a street or highway, except when crossing the street or highway within a crosswalk.
(d) A personal delivery device has all of the rights and obligations applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, except that a personal delivery device shall yield the right-of-way to human pedestrians on sidewalks and crosswalks.
(e) (1) No person shall operate a personal delivery device unless the person is authorized to do so under this section and complies with the requirements of this section.
(2) An eligible entity is responsible for both of the following:
A. Any violation of this section that is committed by a personal delivery device operator; and
B. Any other circumstance, including a technological malfunction, in which a personal delivery device operates in a manner prohibited by subsections (c)(1) to (c)(4) of this section.
(ORC 4511.513)