Loading chat...
IN HB1295
Bill
Status
1/16/2018
Primary Sponsor
Jim Pressel
Click for details
AI Summary
-
Creates the offense of "unlawful use of an electronic communications device" while operating a moving motor vehicle on a public highway as a Class C infraction.
-
Defines electronic communications devices to include broadband devices, gaming systems, handheld devices, laptops, tablets, pagers, personal digital assistants, and wireless telephones, with exemptions for amateur radio equipment and commercial vehicle communications systems.
-
Establishes enhanced penalties ranging from Class A misdemeanor (two prior convictions within five years) to Level 4 felony (death results and one or more prior convictions within five years), with Level 6 and Level 5 felonies for bodily injury or serious bodily injury scenarios.
-
Provides exemptions for law enforcement in certain capacities, emergency communications, hands-free or voice-operated devices, parked vehicles, and manufacturer-installed vehicle systems.
-
Requires the bureau of motor vehicles to develop and administer a distracted driving public education campaign and allows convictions for felony-level violations to serve as predicates for habitual traffic violator determinations.
Legislative Description
Use of an electronic device while driving. Creates the offense of "unlawful use of an electronic communications device". Provides that use of an electronic communications device to perform certain actions while operating a motor vehicle is a Class C infraction. Creates certain exemptions. Specifies that the offense may be enhanced to a: (1) Class A misdemeanor, if a person has two prior unrelated convictions for the offense within the past five years; (2) Level 6 felony, if the offense results in bodily injury to another person or the person has three prior unrelated convictions for the offense within the past
Last Action
First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code
1/16/2018