Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 4631
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. W.J. McLeod, Skelton, Cobb-Hunter, R.L. Brown, Sottile, Pope, Finlay, R.L. Ott, Weeks, Jefferson, Bowers, Newton, Funderburk, Southard, Williams, Delleney, Kennedy and Pitts
Document Path: l:\council\bills\swb\5052cm14.docx
Introduced in the House on February 6, 2014
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
Summary: Cell phones
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/6/2014 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 14)
2/6/2014 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
(House Journal-page 14)
View the latest legislative information at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3890 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO USE AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO COMMUNICATE WHILE DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 31, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-3890. (A) The purpose of this section is to set forth the policy of the State of South Carolina against texting while driving.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a driver shall not use an electronic device to communicate while driving a motor vehicle. For purposes of this article, the term 'communicate' shall include any form of electronic or digital messaging, including texting, text messaging, email or electronic mail or instant messaging.
(C) This section does not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle while using a hands-free device, a global positioning system, or a navigation system.
(D) A person who is adjudicated to be in violation of this section must be fined not more than twenty-five dollars, no part of which may be suspended. No court costs, assessments, or surcharges may be assessed against a person who violates this section. A person must not be fined more than fifty dollars for any one incident of one or more violations of this section. A custodial arrest for a violation of this section must not be made, except upon a warrant issued for failure to appear in court when summoned or for failure to pay an imposed fine. A violation of this section does not constitute a criminal offense."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on February 7, 2014 at 11:15 AM