PRINTER'S NO.  719

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

657

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY DALLY, BEYER, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HENNESSEY, W. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, MANN, MELIO, MILNE, MURT, MUSTIO, PEIFER, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER AND VULAKOVICH, FEBRUARY 27, 2009

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 27, 2009  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

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Statutes, prohibiting certain drivers from using mobile

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phones.

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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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hereby enacts as follows:

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Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

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is amended by adding a section to read:

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§ 3316.  Prohibiting use of mobile phones.

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(a)  Drivers subject to restrictions.--No driver with a

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learner's permit or junior driver's license shall drive a motor

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vehicle on a highway in this Commonwealth, including Federal,

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State and municipal highways, while using a mobile phone.

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(b)  Exceptions.--This section shall not apply to persons who

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use a mobile phone for the sole purpose of reporting an accident

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or emergency.

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(c)  Seizure.--The provisions of this section shall not be

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construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a mobile

 


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phone, unless otherwise provided by law.

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(d)  Penalty.--A person who violates subsection (a) commits a

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summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay

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a fine of not less than $1 nor more than $300 or to a period of

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community service to be determined by the sentencing authority.

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(e)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the following

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words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this

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subsection:

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"Hands-free mobile telephone."  A telecommunications device

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that receives an analog signal or digital signal, or both, and

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is designed for use without being held by a person's hand while

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speaking into the device.

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"Mobile phone."  A telecommunications device that receives an

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analog signal or digital signal, or both, and that is designed

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for handheld use, or a hands-free mobile telephone.

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Section 2.  This act shall take effect in six months.

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