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Current Status Bill Number:View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.4956 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:20000413 Primary Sponsor:Limehouse All Sponsors:Limehouse, Allen, Davenport and Maddox Drafted Document Number:l:\council\bills\nbd\11998ac00.doc Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Motor vehicles, operation of; mobile or cell telephone use unlawful when driving, exception; Telecommunications History Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ ______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 20000413 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ referred to Committee Versions of This Bill
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3895 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING A MOBILE OR CELLULAR PHONE UNLESS THE PHONE IS USED IN A "HANDS FREE" MANNER AND TO DEFINE THIS TERM AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-3895. (A) It is unlawful for a person to operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile or cellular phone unless the phone is used in a hands free manner.
(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than fifty dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten days.
(C) For purposes of this section, 'hands free manner' means that, other than the initial engaging or the disengaging of the phone or a call, it can be used without the use of one's hands including, but not limited to, the use of a headset or an audio system."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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