House File 575 - Introduced



                                       HOUSE FILE       
                                       BY  SWAIM

                                       (COMPANION TO LSB 2581SS
                                        BY HOGG)


    Passed House,  Date               Passed Senate, Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act relating to the use of a cellular telephone by a motor
  2    vehicle operator with an instruction permit or intermediate
  3    driver's license issued under the graduated driver licensing
  4    program and making penalties applicable.
  5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  6 TLSB 2581HH 82
  7 dea/je/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.  CELL PHONE USE RESTRICTED.  A person
  1  4 who has been issued an instruction permit or an intermediate
  1  5 driver's license under this section shall not operate or
  1  6 utilize a handheld cellular telephone, or other handheld
  1  7 device used for remote two=way communication, while operating
  1  8 a motor vehicle on a highway.  This subsection does not apply
  1  9 when the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway
  1 10 or when a handheld cellular telephone or other handheld
  1 11 communication device is used to call 9=1=1 or to contact law
  1 12 enforcement authorities or an emergency response agency in an
  1 13 emergency situation.
  1 14                           EXPLANATION
  1 15    This bill prohibits a motor vehicle operator with an
  1 16 instruction permit or intermediate license issued under the
  1 17 graduated driver licensing program from using a handheld
  1 18 cellular telephone or other handheld two=way communication
  1 19 device while driving.  Exceptions are allowed for 911 calls
  1 20 and calls to law enforcement authorities or emergency response
  1 21 agencies in an emergency situation.  In addition, the bill
  1 22 does not prohibit the use of a cell phone when the motor
  1 23 vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadway.
  1 24    A violation of graduated driver licensing provisions is a
  1 25 simple misdemeanor, punishable by a scheduled fine of $30.  In
  1 26 addition, a person 17 years of age must be violation=free for
  1 27 12 months to qualify for a full driver's license.
  1 28 LSB 2581HH 82
  1 29 dea:rj/je/5