House File 2059 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY BAILEY Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to text messaging and the use of cellular 2 telephones by certain minor motor vehicle operators and making 3 penalties applicable. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 5656HH 82 6 dea/nh/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 321.180B, Code 2007, is amended by 1 2 adding the following new subsection: 1 3 NEW SUBSECTION. 2A. TEXT MESSAGING AND CELL PHONE USE 1 4 RESTRICTED. A person who has been issued an instruction 1 5 permit or an intermediate driver's license under this section 1 6 shall not read, write, or send a text message or operate or 1 7 utilize a handheld cellular telephone or other handheld device 1 8 used for remote two=way communication while operating a motor 1 9 vehicle on a highway. This subsection does not apply when the 1 10 motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway or when a 1 11 handheld cellular telephone or other handheld communication 1 12 device is used to call 9=1=1 or to contact law enforcement 1 13 authorities or an emergency response agency in an emergency 1 14 situation. 1 15 Sec. 2. Section 321.194, subsection 1, Code 2007, is 1 16 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 1 17 NEW PARAGRAPH. c. A person who has been issued a driver's 1 18 license under this section shall not read, write, or send a 1 19 text message or operate or utilize a handheld cellular 1 20 telephone or other handheld device used for remote two=way 1 21 communication while operating a motor vehicle on a highway. 1 22 This paragraph does not apply when the motor vehicle is at a 1 23 complete stop off the roadway or when a handheld cellular 1 24 telephone or other handheld communication device is used to 1 25 call 9=1=1 or to contact law enforcement authorities or an 1 26 emergency response agency in an emergency situation. 1 27 EXPLANATION 1 28 This bill prohibits a motor vehicle operator with an 1 29 instruction permit or intermediate license issued under the 1 30 graduated driver licensing program or a special minor's 1 31 license issued for driving to and from school from reading, 1 32 writing, or sending a text message or using a handheld 1 33 cellular telephone or other handheld two=way communication 1 34 device while driving. Exceptions are allowed for the use of a 1 35 cell phone to make 911 calls and calls to law enforcement 2 1 authorities or emergency response agencies in an emergency 2 2 situation. In addition, the bill does not prohibit text 2 3 messaging or using a handheld cell phone when the motor 2 4 vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway. 2 5 A violation of graduated driver licensing provisions is a 2 6 simple misdemeanor, punishable by a scheduled fine of $30. In 2 7 addition, a person 17 years of age must be violation=free for 2 8 12 months to qualify for a full driver's license. 2 9 A violation of special minor's license provisions is a 2 10 simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $30. In 2 11 addition, a violation of the restrictions of the license can 2 12 result in suspension of the license. 2 13 LSB 5656HH 82 2 14 dea/nh/5