PRINTER'S NO.  1208

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

1112

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY WATERS, D. COSTA, STURLA, WAGNER, M. O'BRIEN AND VULAKOVICH, MARCH 17, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 17, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

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Statutes, defining "mobile phone"; providing for prohibiting

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the use of mobile phones in school zones; and imposing a

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penalty.

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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.  Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania

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Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:

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§ 102.  Definitions.

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Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

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provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

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provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

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used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly

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

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* * *

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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.

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* * *

 


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Section 2.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:

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§ 3316.  Prohibiting use of mobile phones in school zones.

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(a)  General rule.--No driver may operate a vehicle or school

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bus while using a mobile phone within a school zone when the

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school zone lights are illuminated with intermittent flashes.

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

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(1)  Law enforcement officers and operators of emergency

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vehicles when on duty and acting in their official

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capacities.

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(2)  Other persons when they are reporting an accident or

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emergency.

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(c)  Posting.--All school zones shall be posted with signs

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designated by the department.

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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 $100. A conviction under this section shall not

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constitute a moving violation unless the offense involves an

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accident.

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Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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