Signed by Governor Phil Bryant

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits texting and social networking while driving, effective July 1, 2018.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an operator of a moving motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading a text message and from accessing, reading, or posting to a social networking site using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving said motor vehicle (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a violation of this act is a civil violation and punishable by a civil penalty of $25 for violations committed before July 1, 2016, and $100 for violations committed from and after July 1, 2016 (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to keep and maintain records of citations issued under this act, including the age and race of the vehicle operator, whether there was an additional traffic violation by the vehicle operator, and whether there was a crash or any damage to a vehicle or passenger at the time of the citation (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text