Handheld personal communications devices; use while driving. (SB74)

Introduced By

Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) with support from co-patron Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church)

Progress

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

Description

Use of handheld personal communications devices while driving. Expands the prohibition on using a handheld personal communications device while operating a motor vehicle to all communications unless the device is specifically designed to allow voice and hands-free operation and the device is being used in that manner. Current law prohibits only the reading of an email or text message and manually entering letters or text in the device as a means of communicating. The bill expands the exemptions to include handheld personal communications devices that are used (i) for navigation or generating audio transmissions when the device is physically mounted to the vehicle, (ii) as a citizens band radio, (iii) by federally licensed amateur radio operators under certain circumstances, or (iv) by an operator who activates, deactivates, or initiates a factory-installed feature or function on the vehicle. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/01/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18101511D
12/01/2017Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/17/2018Reported from Transportation with substitute (9-Y 4-N) (see vote tally)
01/17/2018Committee substitute printed 18105161D-S1
01/17/2018Incorporates SB441 (Wexton)
01/19/2018Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/22/2018Read second time
01/22/2018Reading of substitute waived
01/22/2018Committee substitute agreed to 18105161D-S1
01/22/2018Motion to rerefer to committee agreed to
01/22/2018Rereferred to Courts of Justice
01/24/2018Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (4-Y 11-N) (see vote tally)