FL H0033

Removes the requirement that texting while driving enforcement be conducted only as a secondary action, allowing officers to stop vehicles for this violation as a primary offense.

Requires law enforcement officers to inform drivers of their right to decline device searches and prohibits officers from accessing devices without a warrant, confiscating devices pending warrant issuance, or obtaining consent through coercion.

Mandates law enforcement officers record the race and ethnicity of violators when issuing citations for texting while driving.

Requires all law enforcement agencies to report collected racial and ethnicity data to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, with the department providing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature beginning February 1, 2019.

Effective date is July 1, 2018.