Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands state driving laws, including, but not limited to, prohibiting the use of mobile telephones that are not hands-free, prohibiting all mobile telephone use for individuals with a junior operator's license, and additional requirements for individuals over 75 years of age when renewing a license.

Highlights:

-Prohibits individuals from operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device or mobile telephone, unless it's a hands-free mobile telephone or if the use of the device is for emergency purposes, and establishes the following penalties (Sec. 10):

-$100 for the first offense; -$250 for the second offense; and -$500 for the third or subsequent offense.

-Exempts individuals operating a public safety vehicle from the prohibition on using a mobile electronic device or mobile telephone unless it's a hands-free mobile telephone (Sec. 10). -Prohibits individuals with a junior operator's license from using a mobile electronic device or mobile telephone while driving, including a hands-free devices mobile telephone, and establishes the following penalties (Sec. 4):

-7 day license or permit suspension and $100 fine for the first offense; -30 day license or permit suspension and $500 fine for the second offense; and -90 day license or permit suspension and $500 fine for the third or subsequent offense.

-Prohibits individuals operating any vehicle or vessel used to transport passengers from using a mobile electronic device or mobile telephone, including hands-free devices, and establishes a $500 penalty (Sec. 8). -Requires individuals over 75 years of age to pass a vision test or provide a vision certificate signed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to renew a driver's license (Secs. 5-6). -Authorizes health care providers to report to the registrar any individual who has a cognitive or functional impairment that would inhibit the individual's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, and requires the registrar to consider such information in determining whether to issue or suspend a driver's license (Sec. 7). -Specifies that health providers are immune from civil liability when issuing a report to the registrar in good faith (Sec. 7). -The bill number was H 4466 when introduced and passed in the House, H 4475 after it was passed by the House and introduced in the Senate, and S 2305 after Senate amendments were incorporated and the bill was passed by the Senate.

Full Bill Text