House File 2243 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2243 BY MASCHER A BILL FOR An Act restricting the use of wireless communication devices 1 while operating a motor vehicle on a highway and providing 2 a penalty. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5714YH (3) 83 dea/nh

H.F. 2243 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 321.276 Use of wireless 1 communication devices. 2 1. For purposes of this section, unless the context 3 otherwise requires: 4 a. “Engage in a call” means talking or listening on a 5 wireless communication device. 6 b. “Text message” means a text-based message, instant 7 message, electronic message, or electronic mail message. 8 c. “Wireless communication device” means a mobile telephone 9 or other telecommunications device capable of being used to 10 engage in a call or write, send, or read a text message. 11 d. The terms “write” , “send” , and “read” , with respect to a 12 text message, mean the manual entry, sending, and retrieval of 13 a text message, respectively, to communicate with any person 14 or device. 15 2. a. A person shall not use a wireless communication 16 device to engage in a call while operating a motor vehicle on a 17 highway unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the 18 roadway. 19 b. This subsection does not apply to a member of a public 20 safety agency, as defined in section 34.1, using a wireless 21 communication device to engage in a call in the performance of 22 official duties. 23 c. This subsection does not apply to the use of a wireless 24 communication device to call 911. 25 3. A person shall not write, send, or read a text message 26 while operating a motor vehicle on a highway unless the motor 27 vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway. 28 4. A person convicted of a violation of this section commits 29 a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under 30 section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph “e” . 31 Sec. 2. Section 805.8A, subsection 6, Code Supplement 2009, 32 is amended by adding the following new paragraph: 33 NEW PARAGRAPH . e. For violations under section 321.276, the 34 scheduled fine is thirty dollars. 35 -1- LSB 5714YH (3) 83 dea/nh 1/ 2

H.F. 2243 EXPLANATION 1 This bill addresses the use of wireless communication 2 devices by motor vehicle operators. 3 The bill defines “wireless communication device” to include 4 a mobile telephone or other telecommunications device capable 5 of being used to engage in a call or write, send, or read a text 6 message. “Text message” is defined to include a text-based 7 message, instant message, electronic message, and electronic 8 mail message. 9 The bill prohibits a person from using a wireless 10 communication device to engage in a call while operating a 11 motor vehicle on a highway, unless the motor vehicle is at a 12 complete stop off the roadway. The bill makes an exception 13 for a member of a public safety agency using a wireless 14 communication device to engage in a call in the performance of 15 official duties. The bill also allows the use of a wireless 16 communication device to call 911. 17 The bill prohibits a person from using a wireless 18 communication device to write, send, or read a text message 19 while operating a motor vehicle on a highway, unless the motor 20 vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway. 21 A violation under the bill is a simple misdemeanor 22 punishable by a scheduled fine of $30. 23 -2- LSB 5714YH (3) 83 dea/nh 2/ 2