House Bill 2560 Summary

• Prohibits operating a motor vehicle on any public street or highway while composing, sending, or reading text-based communications on a cellular telephone or electronic communication device while the vehicle is in motion.

• Exempts emergency communications with emergency response operators, hospitals, physicians' offices, health clinics, ambulance services, firefighting services, and law enforcement agencies.

• Establishes a penalty of up to $500 in fines and court costs for violations of the texting-while-driving prohibition.

• Authorizes municipalities to enact ordinances prohibiting the same conduct with enforcement provisions no more stringent than state law, with municipal fines equal to or less than the state penalty.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2014.