MS HB900

Deletes the July 1, 2021 sunset date (repealer) from Mississippi Code Section 63-33-1, making the texting and social media prohibition on hand-held mobile phones while driving a permanent law.

Maintains the prohibition on operators of moving motor vehicles from writing, sending, or reading text messages and from accessing, reading, or posting to social networking sites using hand-held mobile phones while driving.

Keeps civil penalties at $25.00 for violations committed before July 1, 2016, and $100.00 for violations committed on or after July 1, 2016, with no state assessments imposed.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to maintain records of citations including operator age, race, additional traffic violations, and whether a crash or vehicle damage occurred at the time of citation.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.