Wireless telecommunications devices; prohibits talking on such device unless in hands-free mode. (SB517)

Introduced By

Sen. Tommy Norment (R-Williamsburg) with support from co-patrons Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake), and Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Wireless telecommunications devices in motor vehicles.  Extends prohibition on use of wireless telecommunications devices in motor vehicles to talking on such device, unless the device is configured for hands-free operation and is being used in the hands-free mode effective July 1, 2010. Effective July 1, 2011, penalties for violations will increase from $20 to $100 for a first offense and from $50 to $200 for a second or subsequent offense, there will be an assignment of demerit points, and any violation will be enforced as a primary offense. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/13/2010Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100093D
01/13/2010Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/28/2010Reported from Transportation with substitute (10-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)
01/28/2010Committee substitute printed 10104806D-S1
02/01/2010Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2010Passed by for the day
02/03/2010Passed by for the day
02/04/2010Read second time
02/04/2010Reading of substitute waived
02/04/2010Committee substitute agreed to 10104806D-S1
02/04/2010Reading of amendment waived
02/04/2010Amendment by Senator Norment agreed to
02/04/2010Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute with amendment SB517ES1
02/04/2010Printed as engrossed 10104806D-ES1
02/08/2010Read third time and passed Senate (25-Y 15-N) (see vote tally)
02/17/2010Placed on Calendar
02/17/2010Read first time
02/17/2010Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety
02/18/2010Assigned MPPS sub: #2
02/25/2010Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (3-Y 0-N)
02/26/2010Tabled in Militia, Police and Public Safety

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 3 clips in all, totaling 14 minutes.

Comments

Greg E. writes:

Cell phone bans don't do anything to improve safety! (According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr012910.html) Bills like this are a waste of time unless the actual goal is to put more money in the Commonwealth's coffers.
And, since it isn't a primary offense, this bill won't even be good at extorting money from Virginia drivers!