What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Makes the commission of use of a mobile telephone or portable electronic device in a motor vehicle with a child therein, a misdemeanor
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to use of mobile telephones and portable electronic devices while a child is in a motor vehicle
Purpose
This bill would increase the penalties for using a mobile telephone or portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle while having children in the vehicle.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends subdivision 4 of section 1225-c of the vehicle and traffic law, regarding the use of mobile telephones while operating a motor vehicle, to provide that if a child who is fifteen years of age or less is in the motor vehicle at the time there is a violation of this section, such violation shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Section two amends subdivision 6 of section 1225-d of the vehicle and traffic law regarding the use of portable electronic devices, to provide that if a child who is fifteen years of age or less is in the motor vehicle at the time there is a violation of this section, such violation shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Justification
Distracted driving is broadly defined to be any instance where a driver diverts his or her attention from the task of driving to another activity. Roughly nine Americans are killed in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving daily. One of the most notable distractions is the use of cell phones while driving. A National Safety Council study showed that one in four motor vehicle accidents involved cell phone use by the driver.
What is more alarming is the number of parents that continue to use their cell phone while driving despite the documented danger to their children in the vehicle. A recent study showed that two-thirds of participants admitted to using their cell phones while driving with their child. Further, about fifteen percent of parents admitted to texting while driving with their child in the car. The dangers associated with using a cell phone while driving are indisputable, and while public campaigns to end this practice are prominent throughout the state, more can be done to deter this senselessly hazardous behavior. This bill would further the State's interest in deterring drivers from using their cell phones while having children in the vehicle by increasing the penalties for those found in violation of using a cell phone or electronic portable device while operating a motor vehicle.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
None to the state
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.