HOUSE AMENDED

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 291, 1208, 1287, 1295

PRINTER'S NO.  1410

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

314

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, McILHINNEY, ALLOWAY, WAUGH, ERICKSON, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, STACK, EARLL, RAFFERTY, WILLIAMS, M. WHITE, LEACH, CORMAN, MENSCH, YUDICHAK, BREWSTER, PILEGGI, WASHINGTON AND GREENLEAF, JANUARY 28, 2011

  

  

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 22, 2011   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated

2

Statutes, defining "interactive wireless communications

3

device"; further providing for junior driver's license and

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4

for suspension of operating privilege; providing for

5

prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications

6

devices while operating motor vehicles; and further providing

7

for duty of driver in construction and maintenance areas or

8

on highway safety corridors, for duty of driver in emergency

9

response areas, for accident report forms, for department to

10

compile, tabulate and analyze accident reports, for

11

television equipment and for restraint systems, for

<--

12

applicability and uniformity of law and for disposition and

13

use of liquid fuels and fuels tax.

14

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

<--

15

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

16

passengers a junior driver may transport in a motor vehicle at

17

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

18

Gallagher.

19

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

20

hereby enacts as follows:

21

Section 1.  Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania

 


1

Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:

2

§ 102.  Definitions.

3

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent

4

provisions of this title which are applicable to specific

5

provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when

6

used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly

7

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

8

* * *

9

"Interactive wireless communications device."  A wireless

10

telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or

11

mobile computer or similar device which can be used for voice

12

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

13

instant messaging. The term does not include any of the

14

following:

15

(1)  a device being used exclusively as a global

16

positioning or navigation system;

17

(2)  a system or device that is physically or

18

electronically integrated into the vehicle; or

19

(3)  a communications device that is affixed to a mass

20

transit vehicle, bus or school bus.

21

* * *

22

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

<--

23

amended to read:

24

§ 1503.  Persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to

25

minors; junior driver's license.

26

* * *

27

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

28

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

29

rules and regulations adopted by the department and subject to

30

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

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1

automatically become a regular driver's license when the junior

2

driver attains 18 years of age.

3

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

4

junior driver shall drive a vehicle upon a public highway

5

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

6

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

7

(2)  A licensed junior driver conforming to the

8

requirements of section 1507 (relating to application for

9

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

10

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

11

between the junior driver's home and activity or employment

12

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

13

employment if the junior driver is a member of a volunteer

14

fire company authorized by the fire chief to engage in

15

fighting fires, is engaged in public or charitable service or

16

is employed and is carrying an affidavit or certificate of

17

authorization signed by the junior driver's fire chief,

18

supervisor or employer indicating the probable schedule of

19

the junior driver's activities. Upon termination of the

20

junior driver's activity or employment, the junior driver

21

shall surrender the affidavit or certificate to the fire

22

chief, supervisor or employer. If the junior driver shall

23

fail to surrender the affidavit or certificate, the employer,

24

fire chief or supervisor shall immediately notify the

25

Pennsylvania State Police.

26

(2.1)  For the first six months after issuance of the

27

junior driver's license, a junior driver shall not drive a

28

vehicle with more than one passenger under 18 years of age

29

who is not a member of the driver's immediate family unless

30

the junior driver is accompanied by a parent or legal

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1

guardian. After the expiration of the first six months, a

2

junior driver shall not drive a vehicle with more than three

3

passengers under 18 years of age who are not members of the

4

driver's immediate family unless the junior driver is

5

accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A junior driver

6

shall not drive a vehicle with more than one passenger under

7

18 years of age who is not a member of the driver's immediate

8

family unless the junior driver is accompanied by a parent or

9

legal guardian if the junior driver has been involved in an

10

accident reportable under section 3746(a) (relating to

11

immediate notice of accident to police department) for which

12

the junior driver is partially or fully responsible in the

13

opinion of the department or has been convicted of any

14

violation of this title. For purposes of this subsection, a

15

junior driver's immediate family shall include brothers,

16

sisters, stepbrothers or stepsisters of the driver, including

17

adopted or foster children residing in the same household as

18

the junior driver.

19

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

20

relating to the suspension or revocation of operating

21

privileges, in the event that a licensed junior driver is

22

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

23

which the junior driver is partially or fully responsible in

24

the opinion of the department or is convicted of any

25

violation of this title, the department may suspend the

26

operating privileges of the junior driver until the junior

27

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

28

exceeding 90 days.

29

(4)  Any junior driver or other person violating any

30

provision of this subsection is guilty of a summary offense.

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1

§ 1538.  School, examination or hearing on accumulation of

2

points or excessive speeding.

3

* * *

4

(e)  Additional suspension of operating privilege.--

5

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

6

to the suspension or revocation of operating privileges, a

7

person's operating privileges shall be suspended under any of

8

the following circumstances:

9

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

10

section 3362 (relating to maximum speed limits) by

11

traveling 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed

12

limit and the violation results in a conviction, guilty

13

plea or plea of no contest before or after the person

14

reaches age 18.

15

(ii)  The person accumulates six or more points under

16

the provisions of section 1535 (relating to schedule of

17

convictions and points) and the violations resulting in

18

points accumulation were committed before the person

19

reached age 18.

20

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

21

for a period of 90 days with every subsequent suspension

22

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

23

Suspensions under paragraph (1) shall be imposed

24

consecutively to each other and to any other suspension. A

25

suspension under paragraph (1) shall be considered a

26

subsequent suspension even if it is imposed contemporaneously

27

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

28

suspension under this paragraph shall be in lieu of a

29

suspension under subsection (d)(1).

30

(3)  An insurer shall treat a suspension of a person

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1

under this subsection the same as a person over 18 years of

2

age for a similar violation for the purpose of automobile

3

insurance and may not increase premiums, impose any surcharge

4

or rate penalty or make any driver record point assignment

5

for automobile insurance in a manner different from that of a

6

person over 18 years of age.

7

Section 3 2.  Title 75 is amended by adding a section to

<--

8

read:

9

§ 3316.  Prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications

10

devices.

11

(a)  Prohibition.--

12

(1)  Except as otherwise provided under subsection (b),

<--

13

no person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway or

14

trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

15

wireless communications device for a purpose other than:

16

(i)  voice communication through the use of an

17

interactive wireless communications device while in

18

hands-free mode;

19

(ii)  reading, selecting or entering a telephone

20

number or name into an interactive wireless

21

communications device for the purpose of voice

22

communication while in hands-free mode; or

23

(iii)  activating or deactivating an interactive

24

wireless communications device for the purpose of voice

25

communication while in hands-free mode.

26

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

27

license shall drive a motor vehicle upon a roadway or

28

trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

29

wireless communications device.

30

(3)  A conviction or detainment under this subsection by

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1

State or local law enforcement agencies for using an

2

interactive wireless communications device for voice

3

communication shall occur only as a secondary action when a

4

driver of a motor vehicle has been detained or convicted of

5

any other provision of this title.

6

(4)  State and local law enforcement agencies shall

7

enforce the use of an interactive wireless communications

8

device for texting, e-mailing, browsing the Internet or

9

instant messaging as a primary action.

10

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

11

(1)  Persons who use an interactive wireless

12

communications device to contact a 511 service or 911 system 

13

or wireless E-911 service, as defined in the act of July 9,

14

1990 (P.L.340, No.78), known as the Public Safety Emergency

15

Telephone Act.

16

(2)  Persons who use an interactive wireless

17

communications device when the vehicle is stopped due to

18

traffic obstruction and the motor vehicle transmission is in

19

neutral 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

(5)  Amateur radio operators who use an interactive

29

wireless communications device for voice communication.

30

(6)  Coroners or deputy coroners who use an interactive

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1

wireless communications device for voice communication while

2

engaged in the performance of their official duties.

3

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

4

construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an

5

interactive wireless communications device, unless otherwise

6

provided by law.

7

(d)  Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a)(1) and

8

(2) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be

9

sentenced to pay a fine of $100. A violation of subsection (a)

10

(1) and (2) shall not result in the accumulation of points under

11

this title.

12

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

13

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

14

subsection:

15

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

16

communications device that allows the user to engage in

17

communication without the use of either hand by means of an

18

internal feature or function or an attachment or device.

19

"Volunteer emergency responder."  Any of the following:

20

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

21

in 35 Pa.C.S. § 7802 (relating to definitions);

22

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

23

35 Pa.C.S. § 7802; or

24

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

25

35 Pa.C.S. § 7802.

26

(1)  No driver shall operate a motor vehicle on a highway

<--

27

or trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

28

wireless communications device to send, read or write a text-

29

based communication. A person does not send, read or write a

30

text-based communication when reading, selecting or entering

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1

a telephone number or name in an interactive wireless

2

communications device for the purpose of activating or

3

deactivating a voice communication.

4

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

5

license shall operate a motor vehicle on a highway or

6

trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an interactive

7

wireless communications device.

8

(3)  A conviction under this subsection by State or local

9

law enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

10

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

11

any other provision of this title.

12

(b)  Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to:

13

(1)  persons who use an interactive wireless

14

communications device to contact a 511 service or 911 system

15

to report an accident or an emergency;

16

(2)  operators of emergency vehicles while engaged in the

17

performance of official duties;

18

(3)  operators of public passenger transportation, as

19

defined by 74 Pa.C.S. § 1503 (relating to definitions), while

20

engaged in the performance of official duties; or

21

(4)  persons who use an interactive wireless

22

communications device when the vehicle is stopped at an

23

intersection or due to obstruction and the transmission is in

24

neutral or park.

25

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

26

construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an

27

interactive wireless communications device, unless otherwise

28

provided by law.

29

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

30

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

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1

a fine of $50.

2

(e)  Preemption of local ordinances.--In accordance with

3

section 6101 (relating to applicability and uniformity of

4

title), this section supersedes and preempts all ordinances of

5

any municipality with regard to the use of an interactive

6

wireless communications device by the driver of a motor vehicle.

7

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

8

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

9

subsection:

10

"511" or "511 service."  Three-digit telecommunications

11

dialing to access an intelligent transportation system traveler

12

information service provided in this Commonwealth in accordance

13

with the Federal Communications Commission and the United States

14

Department of Transportation.

15

"911."  The number used by a public agency located in whole

16

or in part within this Commonwealth authorized by law to provide

17

emergency telephone service to access firefighting, law

18

enforcement, ambulance, emergency medical or other emergency

19

services.

20

"Text-based communication."  A text message, instant message,

21

electronic mail or other written communication composed or

22

received on an interactive wireless communications device.

23

Section 4 3.  Sections 3326(c), 3327(e) and 3752(a) of Title

<--

24

75 are amended to read:

25

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

26

on highway safety corridors.

27

* * *

28

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

29

violations, when committed in an active work zone manned by

30

workers acting in their official capacity or on a highway safety

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1

corridor designated under section 6105.1 (relating to

2

designation of highway safety corridors), the fine shall be

3

double the usual amount:

4

Section 3102 (relating to obedience to authorized persons

5

directing traffic).

6

Section 3111 (relating to obedience to traffic-control

7

devices).

8

Section 3112 (relating to traffic-control signals).

9

Section 3114 (relating to flashing signals).

10

Section 3302 (relating to meeting vehicle proceeding in

11

opposite direction).

12

Section 3303 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the left).

13

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the right).

14

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the

15

left).

16

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left side

17

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 (relating to prohibiting interactive wireless

23

communications devices).

24

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

25

Section 3326 (relating to duty of driver in construction and

26

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).

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1

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

2

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol

3

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 left).

20

Section 3304 (relating to overtaking vehicle on the right).

21

Section 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the

22

left).

23

Section 3306 (relating to limitations on driving on left side

24

of roadway).

25

Section 3307 (relating to no-passing zones).

26

Section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

27

Section 3312 (relating to limited access highway entrances

28

and exits).

29

Section 3316 (relating to prohibiting interactive wireless

30

communications devices).

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1

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

2

Section 3325 (relating to duty of driver on approach of

3

emergency vehicle).

4

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

5

Section 3707 (relating to driving or stopping close to fire

6

apparatus).

7

Section 3710 (relating to stopping at intersection or

8

crossing to prevent obstruction).

9

Section 3714 (relating to careless driving).

10

Section 3736 (relating to reckless driving).

11

Section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol

12

or controlled substance).

13

* * *

14

§ 3752.  Accident report forms.

15

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

16

request supply to all law enforcement agencies and other

17

appropriate agencies or individuals, forms for written accident

18

reports as required in this subchapter suitable with respect to

19

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

20

served. The written report forms shall call for sufficiently

21

detailed information to disclose with reference to a vehicle

22

accident the cause, conditions then existing and the persons and

23

vehicles involved[.], including whether the driver of the

24

vehicle was using an interactive wireless communications device

25

when the accident occurred, and such other information as the

26

department may require. Reports for use by the drivers and

27

owners shall also provide for information relating to financial

28

responsibility.

29

* * *

30

Section 5 4.  Section 3753 of Title 75 is amended by adding a

<--

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1

subsection to read:

2

§ 3753.  Department to compile, tabulate and analyze accident

3

reports.

4

* * *

5

(b.1)  Certain reports.--The department shall annually

6

compile and make available to the public information submitted

7

on an accident report concerning interactive wireless

8

communications devices in motor vehicles involved in traffic

9

accidents. The report shall note whether the driver of the motor

10

vehicle was using an interactive wireless communications device

11

when the accident occurred. The department shall biannually

12

compile and make available to the public information submitted

13

on an accident report concerning junior drivers with multiple

14

passengers under 18 years of age and the use of seat belts by

15

drivers and passengers under 18 years of age in motor vehicles

16

involved in traffic accidents. The report shall note the number

17

of passengers under 18 years of age if the driver involved in

18

the accident was a junior driver and whether drivers and

19

passengers under 18 years of age utilized a safety belt system.

20

The data shall be included in a report submitted to the

21

Transportation Committee of the Senate and the Transportation

22

Committee of the House of Representatives.

23

* * *

24

Section 6 5.  Sections 4527 and 4581(a) and (b) 6101 of Title

<--

25

75 are amended to read:

26

§ 4527.  [Television] Video receiving equipment.

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

display device, video receiving equipment, including a receiver,

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1

a video monitor or a television or video screen capable of

2

displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces

3

entertainment or business applications or similar equipment

4

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

5

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

6

visible, directly or indirectly, to the driver while operating

7

the motor vehicle.

8

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

9

install in a motor vehicle an image display device intended to

10

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

11

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

12

system adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's

13

recommendations.

14

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

15

following:

16

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

17

devices in a vehicle used exclusively for safety or law

18

enforcement purposes as approved by the Pennsylvania State

19

Police.

20

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

21

conjunction with in-vehicle navigation systems, related

22

traffic, road and weather information.

23

(3)  Image display devices that provide vehicle

24

information related to the driving task or to enhance or

25

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

26

of the motor vehicle or permit the driver to monitor vehicle

27

occupants behind the driver.

28

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

29

the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

30

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

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1

vehicle is parked.

2

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

3

display device" means equipment capable of displaying to the

4

driver of the motor vehicle:

5

(1)  a broadcast television image; or

6

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

7

video disc or other storage device.

8

§ 4581.  Restraint systems.

<--

9

(a)  Occupant protection.--

10

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

11

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

12

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child under four

13

years of age anywhere in the motor vehicle, including the

14

cargo area, shall fasten such child securely in a child

15

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

16

This subsection shall apply to all persons while they are

17

operators of motor vehicles where a seating position is

18

available which is equipped with a seat safety belt or other

19

means to secure the systems or where the seating position was

20

originally equipped with seat safety belts.

21

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

22

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

23

vehicle or motor home and who transports a child four years

24

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

25

motor vehicle, including the cargo area, shall fasten such

26

child securely in a fastened safety seat belt system and in

27

an appropriately fitting child booster seat, as defined in

28

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

29

while they are operators of motor vehicles where a seating

30

position is available which is equipped with a seat safety

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1

belt or other means to secure the systems or where the

2

seating position was originally equipped with seat safety

3

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

4

law enforcement agencies shall occur only as a secondary

5

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

6

violating any other provision of this title.]

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

home operated in this Commonwealth shall [wear] secure or

12

cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened

13

safety seat belt system for the driver, if under 18 years

14

of age, and every vehicle occupant eight years of age or

15

older but under 18 years of age. [A conviction under this

16

paragraph by State or local law enforcement agencies

17

shall occur only as a secondary action when a driver of a

18

motor vehicle has been convicted of any other provision

19

of this title. The driver of a passenger automobile shall

20

secure or cause to be secured in a properly adjusted and

21

fastened safety seat belt system any occupant who is

22

eight years of age or older and less than 18 years of

23

age.]

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

motor vehicle, antique motor vehicle or motor home

29

operated in this Commonwealth shall wear a properly

30

adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.

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1

(iii)  This paragraph shall not apply to:

2

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

3

vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966.

4

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

5

possesses a written verification from a physician

6

that he is unable to wear a safety seat belt system

7

for physical or medical reasons, or from a

8

psychiatrist or other specialist qualified to make an

9

informed judgment that he is unable to wear a safety

10

seat belt system for psychological reasons.

11

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

12

operating any motor vehicle during the performance of

13

his duties as a United States postal service rural

14

letter carrier only between the first and last

15

delivery points.

16

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

17

is traveling less than 15 miles per hour for the

18

purpose of delivering goods or services while in the

19

performance of his duties and only between the first

20

and last delivery points.

21

A violation of this paragraph shall not be subject to the

22

assessment of any points under section 1535 (relating to

23

schedule of convictions and points).

24

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

25

operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers

26

exceeds the number of available safety seat belts in the

27

vehicle.

28

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

29

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

30

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

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1

collecting any such fines shall transfer the fines thus

2

collected to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Child

3

Passenger Restraint Fund, pursuant to section 4582 (relating to

4

Child Passenger Restraint Fund). Anyone who violates subsection

5

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

6

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

7

be convicted of a violation of subsection (a)(2)(ii) unless the

8

person is also convicted of another violation of this title

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

this subsection shall not constitute a moving violation.

13

* * *

14

§ 6101.  Applicability and uniformity of title.

<--

15

(a)  Requirement.--The provisions of this title shall be

16

applicable and uniform throughout this Commonwealth and in all

17

political subdivisions in this Commonwealth, and no local

18

authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter

19

covered by the provisions of this title unless expressly

20

authorized.

21

(b)  Sanctions.--When a court of competent jurisdiction

22

determines and notifies the department that an ordinance adopted

23

by a local authority is in violation of subsection (a),

24

commencing 40 days following entry of a final order, unless an

25

appeal has been timely filed with a court of record, the

26

following sanctions apply until the local authority repeals or

27

substantially amends the ordinance to remove the language that

28

was found to be in violation of subsection (a):

29

(1)  Suspension of unobligated capital expenditures for

30

bridges and highways.

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1

(2)  Suspension of allocation under the act of June 1,

2

1956 (1955 P.L.1944, No.655), referred to as the Liquid Fuels

3

Tax Municipal Allocation Law.

4

(3)  Suspension of allocation and apportionment under

5

section 9010(c.1) (relating to disposition and use of tax).

6

(4)  Suspension of expenditures from the special fund

7

into which allocations under the act of June 1, 1956 (1955

8

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

9

Municipal Allocation Law, are deposited, unless a contract

10

for the work that is the subject of the expenditure has been

11

fully executed or the moneys have been otherwise obligated.

12

(c)  Suspended funds.--Upon notification that the local

13

authority has repealed or substantially amended the ordinance to

14

remove the language that was found to be in violation of

15

subsection (a), the department shall immediately end all

16

sanctions against the local authority and return all suspended

17

funds to the local authority.

18

Section 6.  Section 9010(c) introductory paragraph of Title

19

75 is amended and the section is amended by adding subsections 

20

to read:

21

§ 9010.  Disposition and use of tax.

22

* * *

23

(c)  Allocation of money.--[The] Except as set forth in

24

subsection (c.1), the county commissioners may allocate and

25

apportion money from the County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund to the

26

political subdivisions within the county in the ratio as

27

provided in this subsection. When the unencumbered balance in

28

the County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund is greater than the receipts

29

for the 12 months immediately preceding the date of either of

30

the reports, the county commissioners shall notify the political

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1

subdivisions to make application within 90 days for

2

participation in the redistribution of the unencumbered balance.

3

Redistribution shall be effected within 120 days of the date of

4

either of the reports. The county commissioners may distribute

5

the unencumbered balance in excess of 50% of the receipts for

6

the previous 12 months to the political subdivisions making

7

application in the following manner:

8

* * *

9

(c.1)  Forfeiture.--All money allocated under subsection (c)

10

to a political subdivision which, under section 6109(a)

11

(relating to specific powers of department and local

12

authorities), violates section 6101(a) (relating to

13

applicability and uniformity of title) shall be withheld by the

14

county during the period of time in which the municipality is in

15

violation of section 6101(a).

16

(c.2)  Release funds.--Upon notification that the local

17

authority has repealed or substantially amended the ordinance to

18

remove the language that was found to be in violation of section

19

6101(a), the county shall release those funds withheld by the

20

county and due the local agency.

21

* * *

22

Section 7.  This act shall take effect in 60 days as follows:

<--

23

(1)  The amendment or addition of 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101 and

24

9101(c) introductory paragraph and (c.1) shall take effect in

25

60 days.

26

(2)  This section shall take effect immediately.

27

(3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 120

28

days.

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