Bill Text: MI HB5538 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Traffic control; traffic regulation; penalties for use of wireless telephone while driving resulting in injury to or death of an individual; enact. Amends secs. 602b & 602c of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.602b & 257.602c) & adds sec. 602d.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 8-5)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-26 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 02/26/2020 [HB5538 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HB5538-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 5538
February 25, 2020, Introduced by Reps. Slagh,
LaGrand, Brann, Rendon, Hertel, Yaroch, Chirkun, Meerman, LaFave,
Markkanen, Lower, Whitsett and Stone and referred to the Committee on
Transportation.
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled
"Michigan vehicle code,"
by amending sections 602b and 602c (MCL 257.602b and 257.602c), section 602b as amended by 2016 PA 332 and section 602c as added by 2012 PA 592, and by adding section 602d.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 602b. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or in the person's lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street in this state. As used in this subsection, a wireless 2-way communication device does not include a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the motor vehicle. This subsection does not apply to a person operating a commercial vehicle.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or in the person's lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a commercial motor vehicle or a school bus on a highway or street in this state. As used in this subsection, a wireless 2-way communication device does not include a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the commercial motor vehicle or school bus.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not use a hand-held mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication while operating a commercial motor vehicle or a school bus on a highway, including while temporarily stationary due to traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. This subsection does not apply if the operator of the commercial vehicle or school bus has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has stopped in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. As used in this subsection, "mobile telephone" does not include a 2-way radio service or citizens band radio service. As used in this subsection, "use a hand-held mobile telephone" means 1 or more of the following:
(a) Using at least 1 hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication.
(b) Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button.
(c) Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed as required by 49 CFR 393.93 and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
(4) Subsections (1), (2), and (3) do not apply to an individual who is using a device described in subsection (1) or (3) to do any of the following:
(a) Report a traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious road hazard.
(b) Report a situation in which the person believes his or her personal safety is in jeopardy.
(c) Report or avert the perpetration or potential perpetration of a criminal act against the individual or another person.
(d) Carry out official duties as a police officer, law enforcement official, member of a paid or volunteer fire department, or operator of an emergency vehicle.
(e) Operate or program the operation of an automated motor vehicle while testing or operating the automated motor vehicle without a human operator.
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person using an on-demand automated motor vehicle network.
(6) An Except as provided under section 602d, an individual who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be ordered to pay a civil fine as follows:
(a) For a first violation, $100.00.
(b) For a second or subsequent violation, $200.00.
(7) This section supersedes all local ordinances regulating the use of a communications device while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a highway or street, except that a unit of local government may adopt an ordinance or enforce an existing ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.
Sec. 602c. (1) Except as provided in this section, an individual issued a level 1 or level 2 graduated license under section 310e shall not use a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle upon a highway or street. For purposes of this subsection only, "use" means to initiate a call; answer a call; or listen to or engage in verbal communication through the cellular telephone.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual who is using a cellular telephone to do any of the following:
(a) Report a traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious road hazard.
(b) Report a situation in which the person believes his or her personal safety is in jeopardy.
(c) Report or avert the perpetration or potential perpetration of a criminal act against the individual or another person.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual using a voice-operated system that is integrated into the motor vehicle.
(4) An Except as provided under section 602d, an individual who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
(5) This section supersedes all local ordinances regulating the use of a cellular telephone by an individual issued a level 1 or level 2 graduated license while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a highway or street, except that a unit of local government may adopt an ordinance or enforce an existing ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.
(6) This section shall be known and may be cited as "Kelsey's Law".
Sec. 602d. (1) Except as provided under subsection (2), a person who operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street in this state and causes an injury to another individual because the person was holding or using a wireless telephone while operating the motor vehicle is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
(2) A person who operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street in this state and causes the death of another individual because the person was holding or using a wireless telephone while operating the motor vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
