House File 9 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY ABDUL=SAMAD Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the use of cellular telephones and other 2 wireless communication devices by motor vehicle operators and 3 providing a penalty. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 1178HH 83 6 dea/nh/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 321.363A USE OF WIRELESS 1 2 COMMUNICATION DEVICES RESTRICTED. 1 3 1. A person shall not operate or use a cellular telephone 1 4 or other wireless communication device while operating a motor 1 5 vehicle on a street or highway, as defined in section 321.1, 1 6 subsection 78, unless the person uses a headset or hands=free 1 7 adapter to operate or use the telephone or communication 1 8 device. 1 9 2. This section does not apply to the use of a handheld 1 10 cellular telephone or other handheld wireless communication 1 11 device to call 911 or to contact law enforcement authorities 1 12 or an emergency response agency in an emergency situation. 1 13 3. This section does not apply when the motor vehicle is 1 14 at a complete stop off the roadway. 1 15 4. A person who violates this section commits a simple 1 16 misdemeanor, punishable as a scheduled violation under section 1 17 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph "e". 1 18 Sec. 2. Section 805.8A, subsection 6, Code 2009, is 1 19 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 1 20 NEW PARAGRAPH. e. For violations under section 321.363A, 1 21 the scheduled fine is thirty dollars. 1 22 EXPLANATION 1 23 This bill prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from 1 24 operating or using a cellular telephone or other wireless 1 25 communication device without using a headset or hands=free 1 26 adapter while operating a motor vehicle on a street or 1 27 highway. An exception is allowed for emergency situations 1 28 when the use of a handheld phone or device is to call 911 or 1 29 contact law enforcement authorities or an emergency response 1 30 agency. The bill does not prohibit a driver from using any 1 31 cellular telephone or other wireless communication device when 1 32 the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway. 1 33 The bill establishes a scheduled fine of $30 as the penalty 1 34 for a violation. 1 35 LSB 1178HH 83 2 1 dea/nh/5.1