Senate Bill 2178 Summary

• Changes texting while driving violation from a civil violation to a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine with no state assessments imposed.

• Establishes new felony penalties when texting while driving negligently causes death or serious injury: life imprisonment without parole for 25 years (with possible earlier parole after 5 years) for deaths, or 5-25 years imprisonment for mutilation, disfigurement, or other injuries.

• Allows courts to run sentences for multiple victims consecutively or concurrently at their discretion.

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to maintain records of texting while driving citations including operator age, additional traffic violations, and whether a crash or vehicle damage occurred.

• Takes effect July 1, 2020.