WHB/6/2
Sponsored by Maggie Murray, Bella Bohleber of West High School
This legislation was filed in the Safety and Homeland Security category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT: |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1) The terms in this act will be defined as follows: |
| 4 | Hands Free Tennessee: Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-199 makes it illegal for a driver to |
| 5 | Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body |
| 6 | Write, send, or read any text-based communication |
| 7 | Reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a |
| 8 | seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt |
| 9 | Watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device, and |
| 10 | Record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device |
| 11 | A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor, subject only to imposition of a fine not to |
| 12 | exceed fifty dollars ($50.00). However, if the violation is the persons third or subsequent offense |
| 13 | or if the violation results in an accident, the fine is one hundred dollars ($100); or if the violation |
| 14 | occurs in a work zone when employees of the department or transportation or construction |
| 15 | workers are present or in a marked school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are in |
| 16 | operation, the fine is two hundred dollars ($200). Any person violating this section is subject to |
| 17 | the imposition of court costs not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00), including but not limited to, any |
| 18 | statutory fees of officers, State and local litigation taxes are not applicable to a case prosecuted |
| 19 | under this section. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | Section 2) The rise of fines for being caught on a phone or mobile device while operating a vehicle |
| 22 | will further help encourage drivers to stay off their phones due to the risk of a higher fine. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Section 3) The implementation of this bill will cost nothing, however more money will be earned |
| 25 | with the raising of these fines. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | Section 4) All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this are hereby repealed. |
| 28 | |
| 29 | Section 5) This act shall take effect on June 1st, 2024 |
| 30 |