HF 2128 (LSB 5447YH (7) 83)

HOUSE FILE 2128

BY  ALONS, KOESTER, DE BOEF, and CHAMBERS

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to intentional distracted driving and providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  321.276  Intentional distracted driving.
   1.  A person operating a motor vehicle shall not intentionally engage in an activity that distracts the person from the safe operation of the motor vehicle.
   2.  This section does not apply to a member of a public safety agency, as defined in section 34.1, engaged in the performance of the member’s official duties.
   3.  A person convicted of a violation of this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph “e”.
    Sec. 2.  Section 805.8A, subsection 6, Code Supplement 2009, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  For a violation under section 321.276, the scheduled fine is one hundred dollars.
EXPLANATION
   This bill prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle while intentionally engaging in an activity that distracts the person from the safe operation of the motor vehicle. Members of public safety agencies are exempt from the provisions in the bill when performing their official duties.
   A violation of the bill is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.