House File 2437 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2437 BY KNIFF McCULLA A BILL FOR An Act relating to the use of an electronic device by deaf or 1 hard-of-hearing persons to communicate in American sign 2 language while driving, and making penalties applicable. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 6749YH (3) 91 th/ns

H.F. 2437 Section 1. Section 321.276, subsection 2, paragraph b, Code 1 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: 2 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (11) A deaf or hard-of-hearing person 3 using an electronic device to communicate in American sign 4 language if the person is at least twenty-five years old and 5 holds a driver’s license marked to reflect the person’s deaf or 6 hard-of-hearing status on the face of the license, including 7 as provided in section 321.189, subsection 9, or a similar 8 provision for the jurisdiction that issued the license. A 9 person using an electronic device pursuant to this subparagraph 10 shall not touch the device while driving the vehicle unless 11 the vehicle is at a complete stop. The electronic device must 12 remain fixed to the vehicle in a manner and location that does 13 not obstruct the person’s view or operation of the vehicle. 14 EXPLANATION 15 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 16 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 17 Under current law, a person is prohibited from using an 18 electronic device while driving a motor vehicle unless the 19 motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion 20 of the roadway, or as far away from the center of the roadway 21 as is practicable if the vehicle cannot be entirely removed 22 from the traveled portion of the roadway. A person may 23 use an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free 24 mode. Exceptions to the general prohibition are provided, 25 and this bill adds to the exceptions by authorizing a deaf 26 or hard-of-hearing person to use an electronic device to 27 communicate in American sign language while driving. The 28 person must be at least 25 years old and hold a driver’s 29 license that is marked to reflect the person’s deaf or 30 hard-of-hearing status on the face of the license. 31 A person using an electronic device pursuant to the bill is 32 prohibited from touching the device while driving the vehicle 33 unless the vehicle is at a complete stop. In addition, the 34 electronic device must remain fixed to the vehicle in an 35 -1- LSB 6749YH (3) 91 th/ns 1/ 2

H.F. 2437 unobstructive manner and location. 1 A person who violates Code section 321.276 commits a simple 2 misdemeanor punishable by a $100 scheduled fine and the 3 violation is considered a moving violation for purposes of 4 administrative driver’s license sanctions. 5 -2- LSB 6749YH (3) 91 th/ns 2/ 2