This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 1:12 PM by lpoole.
This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 11:25 AM by cmillar.
Representative Jacob L. Anderegg proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
DISTRACTED DRIVER AMENDMENTS

2     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

5     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to using a handheld
10     wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     provides and amends definitions;
14          ▸     amends the prohibition on using a handheld wireless communication device; and
15          ▸     amends the exceptions to the prohibition on using a handheld wireless
16     communication device.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          41-6a-1716, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 416
24     

25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1716 is amended to read:
27          41-6a-1716. Prohibition on using a handheld wireless communication device
28     while operating a moving motor vehicle -- Exceptions -- Penalties.
29          (1) As used in this section:
30          (a) Ŝ→ (i) ←Ŝ "Handheld wireless communication device" means a handheld device used
30a     for the
31     transfer of information without the use of electrical conductors or wires.
32          Ŝ→ [(b)] (ii) ←Ŝ "Handheld wireless communication device" includes a:
33          Ŝ→ [(i)] (A) ←Ŝ wireless telephone;
34          Ŝ→ [(ii)] (B) ←Ŝ text messaging device;
35          Ŝ→ [(iii)] (C) ←Ŝ laptop; or
36          Ŝ→ [(iv)] (D) ←Ŝ any substantially similar communication device that is readily removable
36a     from the
37     vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input.
37a     Ŝ→ (iii) "Handheld wireless communication device" does not include:
37b          (A) an Amateur Radio or ham radio;
37c          (B) a two-way communication commercial radio;
37d          (C) a Citizens Band (CB) radio;
37e          (D) a Family Radio Service (FRS); or
37f          (E) a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radio. ←Ŝ
38          Ŝ→ [(c)] (d) ←Ŝ "Information" means any writing, game, recording, picture, video, or other
38a     material
39     capable of being viewed on a handheld wireless communication device.
40          (2) Except as provided in [Subsection] Subsections (3) and (4), a person may not [use a
41     handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a
42     highway in this state to manually:] manually operate or view information from a handheld
43     wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this
44     state.
45          [(a) write, send, or read a written communication, including:]
46          [(i) a text message;]
47          [(ii) an instant message; or]
48          [(iii) electronic mail;]
49          [(b) dial a phone number;]
50          [(c) access the Internet;]
51          [(d) view or record video; or]
52          [(e) enter data into a handheld wireless communication device.]
53          (3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit a person from using a handheld wireless
54     communication device [while operating a moving motor vehicle]:
55          [(a) when using a handheld communication device for voice communication;]
56          (a) that is specifically designed and configured for hands-free talking and listening and
57     is used in that manner while operating a moving motor vehicle;
58          (b) to view a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or
59     navigation application[;] while operating a moving motor vehicle; Ŝ→ [or] ←Ŝ
60          (c) to activate, deactivate, or initiate a voice controlled function using either hand while
61     operating a moving motor vehicle Ŝ→ ; or
61a          (d) to utilize a push to talk feature on the handheld wireless communication device
61b     while operating a moving motor vehicle ←Ŝ .
62          (4) Subsection (2) does not prohibit a person from using a handheld wireless
63     communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle:
64          [(c)] (a) during a medical emergency;
65          [(d)] (b) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety
66     hazard;
67          [(e)] (c) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal
68     activity; or
69          [(f)] (d) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting
70     within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's or emergency service personnel's
71     employment[; or].
72          [(g) to operate:]
73          [(i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or]
74          [(ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.]
75          [(4)] (5) A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a:
76          (a) class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of Ŝ→ [[] $100 []] ←Ŝ Ŝ→ [$500] ←Ŝ ; or
77          (b) class B misdemeanor if the person:
78          (i) has also inflicted serious bodily injury upon another as a proximate result of using a
79     handheld wireless communication device in violation of this section while operating a moving
80     motor vehicle on a highway in this state; or
81          (ii) has a prior conviction under this section, that is within three years of:
82          (A) the current conviction under this section; or
83          (B) the commission of the offense upon which the current conviction is based.