Bill Text: VA SB981 | 2013 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Handheld personal communications devices; unlawful to use on school property or crossing, etc.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-02-15 - Incorporated by Courts of Justice [SB981 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2013-SB981-Comm_Sub.html

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13104290D
SENATE BILL NO. 981 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Transportation on January 30, 2013) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Howell) A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-1078.2, relating to use of handheld personal telecommunications devices on school property or in reduced-speed school crossing zones.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-1078.2 as follows:

§46.2-1078.2. Use of handheld personal communications devices on school property or in reduced-speed school crossing zones.

As used in this section, "reduced-speed school crossing zone" means an area located within the vicinity of a school at or near a highway where the presence of children on such school property or going to and from school reasonably requires a special warning to motorists. Such school crossing zones are marked and operated in accordance with the requirements of §46.2-873 with appropriate warning signs or other traffic control devices indicating that a school crossing is in progress.

It shall be unlawful for a person to use a handheld personal communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle (i) upon school property or (ii) within any reduced-speed school crossing zone on a day that school is in session.

Nothing in this section shall apply to the operation of a state or local law-enforcement vehicle, firefighting truck, ambulance, or rescue squad vehicle used in the performance of its official duties.