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S.B. 128

             1     

WIRELESS TELEPHONE USE RESTRICTION FOR MINORS

             2     
IN VEHICLES

             3     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Ross I. Romero

             6     
House Sponsor: Lee B. Perry

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending provisions relating to a
             11      person younger than 18 years of age using a wireless telephone while operating a motor
             12      vehicle.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    prohibits a person younger than 18 years of age from using a wireless telephone
             16      while operating a motor vehicle;
             17          .    provides affirmative defenses to the wireless telephone prohibition;
             18          .    specifies a penalty for violating the wireless telephone prohibition;
             19          .    provides that a violation of the wireless telephone prohibition is not a reportable
             20      violation; and
             21          .    prohibits the Driver License Division from assessing points against a person's
             22      driving record for being convicted of violating the wireless telephone prohibition.
             23      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:
             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:


             28      ENACTS:
             29          41-8-4, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             30     
             31      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             32          Section 1. Section 41-8-4 is enacted to read:
             33          41-8-4. Operation of a vehicle by a person under 18 -- Use of wireless telephones
             34      prohibited -- Exceptions -- Penalty.
             35          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a person younger than 18 years of age,
             36      whether a resident or nonresident of this state, may not use a wireless telephone while
             37      operating a motor vehicle upon a highway of this state.
             38          (2) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this section that a person younger than
             39      18 years of age was using a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle:
             40          (a) during a medical emergency;
             41          (b) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety hazard;
             42          (c) when reporting a criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal
             43      activity; or
             44          (d) when communicating with a parent or legal guardian.
             45          (3) A person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction and shall be fined a
             46      maximum of $50.
             47          (4) (a) A violation of this section is not a reportable violation.
             48          (b) The Driver License Division may not assess points under Section 53-3-221 against
             49      the driving record of the person who violates this section.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-9-12 3:49 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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