PRINTER'S NO.  285

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

330

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY SHAPIRO, DePASQUALE, MARKOSEK, VEREB, BOBACK, BEAR, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, CHRISTIANA, CLYMER, COHEN, CONKLIN, DEASY, DeLUCA, DeWEESE, FABRIZIO, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GROVE, HACKETT, HAHN, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, HESS, HORNAMAN, JOHNSON, JOSEPHS, W. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, MAHONEY, MANN, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MILLARD, MUNDY, MURPHY, MURT, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PAYTON, PETRI, QUINN, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, REED, SABATINA, SAMUELSON, SANTARSIERO, SCHRODER, K. SMITH, M. SMITH, STABACK, STERN, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WAGNER, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, JANUARY 31, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, JANUARY 31, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 75

2

(Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further

3

providing for Commonwealth portion of fines, etc. and for

4

municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.; defining

5

"interactive wireless communication device"; further

6

providing for junior driver's license, for learners' permits

7

and for suspension of operating privilege; prohibiting use of

8

interactive wireless communication device; and further

9

providing for duty of driver in construction and maintenance

10

areas or on highway safety corridors, for duty of driver in

11

emergency response areas, for accident report forms, for

12

department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident reports,

13

for television equipment, for restraint systems and for

14

applicability and uniformity of title.

15

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

16

declares that the part of this act that limits the number of

17

passengers a junior driver may transport in a motor vehicle at

18

one time may be referred to as Lacey's Law in honor of Lacey

19

Gallagher.

 


1

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

2

hereby enacts as follows:

3

Section 1.  Sections 3571(b) and 3573(b) of Title 42 of the

4

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:

5

§ 3571.  Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.

6

* * *

7

(b)  Vehicle offenses.--

8

(1)  All fines, forfeited recognizances and other

9

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited in connection with

10

matters arising under Chapter 77 of Title 75 (relating to

11

snowmobiles) shall unless otherwise provided in Chapter 77 of

12

Title 75 be payable to the Commonwealth.

13

(2)  Except as provided in [paragraph (4)] paragraphs (4)

14

and (5), when prosecution under any other provision of Title

15

75 (relating to vehicles) is the result of State Police

16

action, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other

17

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to

18

the Commonwealth, for credit to the Motor License Fund. One-

19

half of the revenue shall be paid to municipalities in the

20

same ratio provided in section 4 of the [act of June 1, 1956

21

(P.L.1944, No.655), relating to partial allocation of liquid

22

fuels and fuel use tax proceeds] act of June 1, 1956 (1955

23

P.L.1944, No.655), referred to as the Liquid Fuels Tax

24

Municipal Allocation Law.

25

(3)  Except as provided in paragraph (5) and section 3573

26

(relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.),

27

when prosecution under any other provision of Title 75 is the

28

result of local police action, one-half of all fines,

29

forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost

30

or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for credit

- 2 -

 


1

to the Motor License Fund.

2

(4)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating

3

to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled

4

substance) is the result of State Police action, 50% of all

5

fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed,

6

lost or forfeited shall be payable to the Commonwealth, for

7

credit to the Motor License Fund, and 50% shall be payable to

8

the county which shall be further divided as follows:

9

(i)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

10

allocated to the appropriate county authority which

11

implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used

12

solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug

13

abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and

14

research.

15

(ii)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

16

used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons,

17

workhouses and detention centers.

18

(5)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316 (relating

19

to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

20

device) is the result of Pennsylvania State Police action,

21

25% of all revenue from fines shall be paid to municipalities

22

in the same ratio provided in section 4 of the Liquid Fuels

23

Tax Municipal Allocation Law, and 75% of the revenue from the

24

fines shall be allocated and are appropriated on a continuing

25

basis to the Department of Transportation for Statewide

26

public education and awareness programs to combat distracted

27

driving and driving under the influence and promote awareness

28

under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316(f).

29

* * *

30

§ 3573.  Municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.

- 3 -

 


1

* * *

2

(b)  Vehicle offenses.--

3

(1)  When prosecution under the provisions of Title 75

4

(relating to vehicles) for parking is the result of local

5

police action, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other

6

forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited shall be payable to

7

the municipal corporation under which the local police are

8

organized.

9

(2)  Except as provided in [paragraph (3)] paragraphs (3)

10

and (4), when prosecution under any other provision of Title

11

75 (except Chapter 77 (relating to snowmobiles)) is the

12

result of local police action, one-half of all fines,

13

forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost

14

or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal corporation

15

under which the local police are organized.

16

(3)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating

17

to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled

18

substance) is the result of local police action, 50% of all

19

fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed,

20

lost or forfeited shall be payable to the municipal

21

corporation under which the local police are organized, and

22

50% shall be payable to the county which shall be further

23

divided as follows:

24

(i)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

25

allocated to the appropriate county authority which

26

implements the county drug and alcohol program to be used

27

solely for the purposes of aiding programs promoting drug

28

abuse and alcoholism prevention, education, treatment and

29

research.

30

(ii)  Fifty percent of the moneys received shall be

- 4 -

 


1

used for expenditures incurred for county jails, prisons,

2

workhouses and detention centers.

3

(4)  When prosecution under 75 Pa.C.S. § 3316 (relating

4

to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

5

device) is the result of local police action, 25% of all

6

revenue from fines shall be payable to the municipal

7

corporation under which the local police are organized, and

8

75% shall be payable and is appropriated on a continuing

9

basis to the Department of Transportation for Statewide

10

public education and awareness programs to combat driving

11

under the influence and distracted driving as established by

12

75 Pa.C.S. § 3316(f).

13

* * *

14

Section 3.  Section 102 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

15

definition to read:

16

§ 102.  Definitions.

17

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

18

provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

19

provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

20

used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly

21

indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

22

* * *

23

"Interactive wireless communication device."  A wireless

24

telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or

25

mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice

26

communication, texting, e-mailing, browsing the Internet or

27

instant messaging. The term does not include a device being used

28

exclusively as a global positioning or navigation system or a

29

system or device that is physically or electronically integrated

30

into the vehicle.

- 5 -

 


1

* * *

2

Section 2.  Sections 1503(c), 1505(e) and 1538(e) of Title 75

3

are amended to read:

4

§ 1503.  Persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to

5

minors; junior driver's license.

6

* * *

7

(c)  Junior driver's license.--The department may issue a

8

junior driver's license to a person 16 or 17 years of age under

9

rules and regulations adopted by the department and subject to

10

the provisions of this section. A junior driver's license shall

11

automatically become a regular driver's license when the junior

12

driver attains 18 years of age.

13

(1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2), no licensed

14

junior driver shall drive a vehicle upon a public highway

15

between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a spouse 18

16

years of age or older, a parent or a person in loco parentis.

17

(2)  A licensed junior driver conforming to the

18

requirements of section 1507 (relating to application for

19

driver's license or learner's permit by minor) may drive a

20

vehicle upon a public highway between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

21

between the junior driver's home and activity or employment

22

or in the course of the junior driver's activity or

23

employment if the junior driver is a member of a volunteer

24

fire company authorized by the fire chief to engage in

25

fighting fires, is engaged in public or charitable service or

26

is employed and is carrying an affidavit or certificate of

27

authorization signed by the junior driver's fire chief,

28

supervisor or employer indicating the probable schedule of

29

the junior driver's activities. Upon termination of the

30

junior driver's activity or employment, the junior driver

- 6 -

 


1

shall surrender the affidavit or certificate to the fire

2

chief, supervisor or employer. If the junior driver shall

3

fail to surrender the affidavit or certificate, the employer,

4

fire chief or supervisor shall immediately notify the

5

Pennsylvania State Police.

6

(2.1)  Except as set forth in paragraph (2.2), a junior

7

driver may not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger

8

under 18 years of age.

9

(2.2)  With parental or in loco parentis approval, a

10

junior driver may drive a vehicle with passengers who are

11

siblings or relatives who live in the same dwelling as the

12

junior driver.

13

(3)  In addition to the other provisions of this title

14

relating to the suspension or revocation of operating

15

privileges, in the event that a licensed junior driver is

16

involved in an accident reportable under section 3746(a) for

17

which the junior driver is partially or fully responsible in

18

the opinion of the department or is convicted of any

19

violation of this title, the department may suspend the

20

operating privileges of the junior driver until the junior

21

driver attains 18 years of age or for a period of time not

22

exceeding 90 days.

23

(4)  Any junior driver or other person violating any

24

provision of this subsection is guilty of a summary offense.

25

§ 1505.  Learners' permits.

26

* * *

27

(e)  Authorization to test for driver's license and junior

28

driver's license.--A person with a learner's permit is

29

authorized to take the examination for a regular or junior

30

driver's license for the class of vehicle for which a permit is

- 7 -

 


1

held. Before a person under the age of 18 years may take the

2

examination for a junior driver's license, the minor must:

3

(1)  Have held a learner's permit for that class of

4

vehicle for a period of six months.

5

(2)  Present to the department a certification form

6

signed by the father, mother, guardian, person in loco

7

parentis or spouse of a married minor stating that the minor

8

applicant has completed [50] 65 hours of practical driving

9

experience, including no less than ten hours of nighttime

10

driving and five hours of inclement weather driving, 

11

accompanied as required under subsection (b). Submission of a

12

certification shall not subject the parent, guardian, person

13

in loco parentis or spouse of a married minor to any

14

liability based upon the certification.

15

(3)  Have the certification form completed when the minor

16

is ready for the licensing examination. The certification

17

form shall be developed by the department and will be

18

provided by the department when the original application for

19

a learner's permit is processed. The department will make

20

this form readily available through the mail or electronic

21

means.

22

* * *

23

§ 1538.  School, examination or hearing on accumulation of

24

points or excessive speeding.

25

* * *

26

(e)  Additional suspension of operating privilege.--

27

(1)  In addition to any other provisions of law relating

28

to the suspension or revocation of operating privileges, a

29

person's operating privileges shall be suspended under any of

30

the following circumstances:

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1

(i)  Prior to reaching age 18, the person violates

2

section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits) by

3

traveling 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed

4

limit and the violation results in a conviction, guilty

5

plea or plea of no contest before or after the person

6

reaches age 18.

7

(ii)  The person accumulates six or more points under

8

the provisions of section 1535 (relating to schedule of

9

convictions and points) and the violations resulting in

10

points accumulation were committed before the person

11

reached age 18.

12

(2)  The first suspension under paragraph (1) shall be

13

for a period of 90 days with every subsequent suspension

14

under paragraph (1) to be for a period of 120 days.

15

Suspensions under paragraph (1) shall be imposed

16

consecutively to each other and to any other suspension. A

17

suspension under paragraph (1) shall be considered a

18

subsequent suspension even if it is imposed contemporaneously

19

with a first suspension imposed under paragraph (1). A

20

suspension under this paragraph shall be in lieu of a

21

suspension under subsection (d)(1).

22

Section 4.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:

23

§ 3316.  Prohibiting use of interactive wireless communication

24

device.

25

(a)  Driver restrictions.--

26

(1)  No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway

27

or trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

28

wireless communication device for a purpose other than:

29

(i)  voice communication through the use of an

30

interactive wireless communications device while in

- 9 -

 


1

hands-free mode;

2

(ii)  reading, selecting or entering a telephone

3

number or name into an interactive wireless communication

4

device for the purpose of voice communication; or

5

(iii)  utilizing a global positioning or navigation

6

system.

7

(2)  No person with a learner's permit or junior driver's

8

license shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway or

9

trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

10

wireless communication device.

11

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

12

(1)  A driver using an interactive wireless communication

13

device to contact a 911 system or wireless E-911 service, as

14

defined in the act of July 9, 1990 (P.L.340, No.78), known as

15

the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act.

16

(2)  A driver using an interactive wireless communication

17

device when the vehicle is stopped due to a traffic

18

obstruction and the motor vehicle transmission is in neutral

19

or park.

20

(3)  Operators of emergency vehicles who use an

21

interactive wireless communications device for voice

22

communication for the purpose of responding to an emergency

23

while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

24

(4)  Volunteer emergency responders who use an

25

interactive wireless communications device for voice

26

communication for the purpose of responding to an emergency

27

while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

28

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

29

construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an

30

interactive wireless communication device.

- 10 -

 


1

(d)  Penalty.--

2

(1)  A person who violates subsection (a) commits a

3

summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to

4

pay a fine of $50.

5

(2)  A person who violates subsection (a) while passing

6

through a school zone, as defined and provided under the

7

regulations of the department, commits a summary offense and

8

shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.

9

An official traffic-control device shall indicate the

10

beginning and end of each school zone to traffic approaching

11

in each direction. Establishment of a school zone, including

12

its location and hours of operation, shall be approved by the

13

department.

14

(e)  Public education and awareness program.--The department

15

shall develop and maintain Statewide public education and

16

awareness programs to combat distracted driving and driving

17

under the influence and promote awareness of the provisions of

18

this section subject to available funding.

19

(f)  Guidelines.--The department shall, in consultation with

20

the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania State Police,

21

promulgate guidelines for the implementation of subsection (e)

22

within six months of the effective date of this section.

23

(g)  Insurance.--An insurer may not charge an insured who has

24

been convicted under this section a higher premium for a policy

25

of insurance in whole or in part by reason of that conviction.

26

(h)  Department to compile report.--The department shall

27

annually compile and make available to the Transportation

28

Committee of the Senate and the Transportation Committee of the

29

House of Representatives a report detailing the public education

30

efforts to combat distracted driving and driving under the

- 11 -

 


1

influence and promote awareness of the provisions of this

2

section.

3

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

4

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

5

subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

6

"Hands-free mode."  The use of an interactive wireless

7

communications device that allows the user to engage in

8

communication without the use of either hand by means of an

9

internal feature or function or an attachment or device.

10

"Volunteer emergency responder."  Any of the following:

11

(1)  A member of a volunteer ambulance service as defined

12

in section 102 of the act of July 31, 2003 (P.L.73, No.17),

13

known as the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance

14

Service Grant Act.

15

(2)  A member of a volunteer fire company as defined in

16

section 102 of the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer

17

Ambulance Service Grant Act.

18

(3)  A member of a volunteer rescue company as defined in

19

section 102 of the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer

20

Ambulance Service Grant Act.

21

Section 5.  Sections 3326(c), 3327(e) and 3752(a) of Title 75

22

are amended to read:

23

§ 3326.  Duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or

24

on highway safety corridors.

25

* * *

26

(c)  Fines to be doubled.--For any of the following

27

violations, when committed in an active work zone manned by

28

workers acting in their official capacity or on a highway safety

29

corridor designated under section 6105.1 (relating to

30

designation of highway safety corridors), the fine shall be

- 12 -

 


1

double the usual amount:

2

Section 3102 (relating to obedience to authorized persons

3

directing traffic).

4

Section 3111 (relating to obedience to traffic-control

5

devices).

6

Section 3112 (relating to traffic-control signals).

7

Section 3114 (relating to flashing signals).

8

Section 3302 (relating to meeting vehicle proceeding in

9

opposite direction).

10

Section 3303 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

11

left).

12

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

13

right).

14

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on

15

the left).

16

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left

17

side of roadway).

18

Section 3307 (relating to no-passing zones).

19

Section 3309 (relating to driving on roadways laned for

20

traffic).

21

Section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

22

Section 3316(a) (relating to prohibiting use of

23

interactive wireless communication device).

24

Section 3323 (relating to stop signs and yield signs).

25

Section 3326 (relating to duty of driver in construction

26

and maintenance areas or on highway safety corridors).

27

Section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed).

28

Section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits).

29

Section 3702 (relating to limitations on backing).

30

Section 3714 (relating to careless driving).

- 13 -

 


1

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

2

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of

3

alcohol or controlled substance).

4

* * *

5

§ 3327.  Duty of driver in emergency response areas.

6

* * *

7

(e)  Fines to be doubled.--In addition to any penalty as

8

provided in subsection (b), the fine for any of the following

9

violations when committed in an emergency response area manned

10

by emergency service responders shall be double the usual

11

amount:

12

Section 3102 (relating to obedience to authorized persons

13

directing traffic).

14

Section 3111 (relating to obedience to traffic-control

15

devices).

16

Section 3114 (relating to flashing signals).

17

Section 3302 (relating to meeting vehicle proceeding in

18

opposite direction).

19

Section 3303 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

20

left).

21

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the

22

right).

23

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on

24

the left).

25

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left

26

side of roadway).

27

Section 3307 (relating to no-passing zones).

28

Section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

29

Section 3312 (relating to limited access highway

30

entrances and exits).

- 14 -

 


1

Section 3316(a) (relating to prohibiting use of

2

interactive wireless communication device).

3

Section 3323 (relating to stop signs and yield signs).

4

Section 3325 (relating to duty of driver on approach of

5

emergency vehicle).

6

Section 3361 (relating to driving vehicle at safe speed).

7

Section 3707 (relating to driving or stopping close to

8

fire apparatus).

9

Section 3710 (relating to stopping at intersection or

10

crossing to prevent obstruction).

11

Section 3714 (relating to careless driving).

12

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

13

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of

14

alcohol or controlled substance).

15

* * *

16

§ 3752.  Accident report forms.

17

(a)  Form and content.--The department shall prepare and upon

18

request supply to all law enforcement agencies and other

19

appropriate agencies or individuals, forms for written accident

20

reports as required in this subchapter suitable with respect to

21

the persons required to make the reports and the purposes to be

22

served. The written report forms shall call for sufficiently

23

detailed information to disclose with reference to a vehicle

24

accident the cause, conditions then existing and the persons and

25

vehicles involved, including whether the driver of the vehicle

26

was using an interactive wireless communication device when the

27

accident occurred, and such other information as the department

28

may require. Reports for use by the drivers and owners shall

29

also provide for information relating to financial

30

responsibility.

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1

* * *

2

Section 6.  Section 3753 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

3

subsection to read:

4

§ 3753.  Department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident

5

reports.

6

* * *

7

(b.1)  Report on interactive wireless communications

8

devices.--The department shall annually compile and make

9

available to the public information submitted on an accident

10

report concerning interactive wireless communications devices in

11

motor vehicles involved in traffic accidents. The report shall

12

note whether the driver of the motor vehicle was using an

13

interactive wireless communications device when the accident

14

occurred. The data shall be included in a report submitted to

15

the Transportation Committee of the Senate and the

16

Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.

17

* * *

18

Section 7.  Sections 4527, 4581(a) and (b) and 6101 of Title

19

75 are amended to read:

20

§ 4527.  [Television] Video receiving equipment.

21

(a)  General rule.--[No] Except as provided in subsection

22

(c), no person shall drive a motor vehicle [operated on a

23

highway shall be] equipped with [television-type] any image

24

display device, video receiving equipment, including a receiver,

25

a video monitor or a television or video screen capable of

26

displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces

27

entertainment or business applications or similar equipment

28

which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of

29

the back of the driver's seat [or otherwise], or which is 

30

visible, directly or indirectly, to the driver while operating

- 16 -

 


1

the motor vehicle.

2

(a.1)  Except as provided in subsection (b), no person may

3

install in a motor vehicle an image display device intended to

4

be visible to a driver in the normal driving position when the

5

vehicle is in motion and when restrained by the safety seat belt

6

system adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's

7

recommendations.

8

(b)  Exception.--This section shall not apply to the

9

following:

10

(1)  [Television-type receiving equipment] Image display

11

devices in a vehicle used exclusively for safety or law

12

enforcement purposes as approved by the Pennsylvania State

13

Police.

14

(2)  [Electronic displays] Image display devices used in

15

conjunction with in-vehicle navigation systems, related

16

traffic, road and weather information.

17

(3)  Image display devices that provide vehicle

18

information related to the driving task or to enhance or

19

supplement the driver's view forward, behind or to the sides

20

of the motor vehicle or permit the driver to monitor vehicle

21

occupants behind the driver.

22

(4)  Image display devices that do not display images to

23

the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

24

(5)  Image display devices which display an image while a

25

vehicle is parked.

26

(c)  Definitions.--As used in this section, the term "image

27

display device" means equipment capable of displaying to the

28

driver of the motor vehicle:

29

(1)  a broadcast television image; or

30

(2)  a visual image, other than text, from a digital

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1

video disc or other storage device.

2

§ 4581.  Restraint systems.

3

(a)  Occupant protection.--

4

(1)  Any person who is operating a passenger car, Class I

5

truck, Class II truck, classic motor vehicle, antique motor

6

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child under four

7

years of age anywhere in the motor vehicle, including the

8

cargo area, shall fasten such child securely in a child

9

passenger restraint system, as defined in subsection (d).

10

This subsection shall apply to all persons while they are

11

operators of motor vehicles where a seating position is

12

available which is equipped with a seat safety belt or other

13

means to secure the systems or where the seating position was

14

originally equipped with seat safety belts.

15

(1.1)  Any person who is operating a passenger car, Class

16

I truck, Class II truck, classic motor vehicle, antique motor

17

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child four years

18

of age or older but under eight years of age anywhere in the

19

motor vehicle, including the cargo area, shall fasten such

20

child securely in a fastened safety seat belt system and in

21

an appropriately fitting child booster seat, as defined in

22

subsection (d). This paragraph shall apply to all persons

23

while they are operators of motor vehicles where a seating

24

position is available which is equipped with a seat safety

25

belt or other means to secure the systems or where the

26

seating position was originally equipped with seat safety

27

belts. [A conviction under this paragraph by State or local

28

law enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

29

action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been convicted of

30

violating any other provision of this title.]

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1

(2)  [Except for children under eight years of age and

2

except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (1.1), each]

3

(i)  The driver [and front seat occupant] of a

4

passenger car, Class I truck, Class II truck or motor

5

home operated in this Commonwealth shall [wear] secure or

6

cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened

7

safety seat belt system the driver and every vehicle

8

occupant between eight years of age and 18 years of age.

9

[A conviction under this paragraph by State or local law

10

enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

11

action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been

12

convicted of any other provision of this title. The

13

driver of a passenger automobile shall secure or cause to

14

be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety

15

seat belt system any occupant who is eight years of age

16

or older and less than 18 years of age.]

17

(ii)  Except for children under 18 years of age and

18

except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (1.1) and

19

subparagraph (i), each driver and front seat occupant of

20

a passenger car, Class I truck, Class II truck, classic

21

motor vehicle, antique motor vehicle or motor home

22

operated in this Commonwealth shall wear a properly

23

adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.

24

(iii)  This paragraph shall not apply to:

25

[(i)] (A)  A driver or front seat occupant of any

26

vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966.

27

[(ii)] (B)  A driver or front seat occupant who

28

possesses a written verification from a physician

29

that he is unable to wear a safety seat belt system

30

for physical or medical reasons, or from a

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1

psychiatrist or other specialist qualified to make an

2

informed judgment that he is unable to wear a safety

3

seat belt system for psychological reasons.

4

[(iii)] (C)  A rural letter carrier while

5

operating any motor vehicle during the performance of

6

his duties as a United States postal service rural

7

letter carrier only between the first and last

8

delivery points.

9

[(iv)] (D)  A driver who makes frequent stops and

10

is traveling less than 15 miles per hour for the

11

purpose of delivering goods or services while in the

12

performance of his duties and only between the first

13

and last delivery points.

14

A violation of this paragraph shall not be subject to the

15

assessment of any points under section 1535 (relating to

16

schedule of convictions and points).

17

(3)  A driver who is under 18 years of age may not

18

operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers

19

exceeds the number of available safety seat belts in the

20

vehicle.

21

(b)  Offense.--Anyone who fails to comply with the provisions

22

of subsection (a)(1) or (1.1) shall be guilty of a summary

23

offense with a maximum fine of $100. The court imposing and

24

collecting any such fines shall transfer the fines thus

25

collected to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Child

26

Passenger Restraint Fund, pursuant to section 4582 (relating to

27

Child Passenger Restraint Fund). Anyone who violates subsection

28

(a)(2) or (3) commits a summary offense and shall, upon

29

conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10. No person shall

30

be convicted of a violation of subsection (a)(2) or (3) unless

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1

the person is also convicted of another violation of this title

2

which occurred at the same time. No costs as described in 42

3

Pa.C.S. § 1725.1 (relating to costs) shall be imposed for

4

summary conviction of subsection (a)(2) or (3). Conviction under

5

this subsection shall not constitute a moving violation.

6

* * *

7

§ 6101.  Applicability and uniformity of title.

8

The provisions of this title shall be applicable and uniform

9

throughout this Commonwealth and in all political subdivisions

10

in this Commonwealth, and no local authority shall enact or

11

enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by the provisions of

12

this title unless expressly authorized. A person charged with

13

violating an ordinance determined to be enacted or enforced in

14

violation of this section shall be awarded court costs and

15

attorney fees incurred as a result of defending against the

16

charge.

17

Section 8.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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