1Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2Statutes, further providing for prohibiting text-based
3communications.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1. Section 3316 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
7Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

8§ 3316. Prohibiting text-based communications.

9(a) Prohibition.--No driver shall operate a motor vehicle on
10a highway or trafficway in this Commonwealth while using an
11interactive wireless communications device to send, read or
12write a text-based communication while the vehicle is in motion.
13A person does not send, read or write a text-based communication
14when the person reads, selects or enters a telephone number or
15name in an interactive wireless communications device for the
16purpose of activating or deactivating a voice communication or a
17telephone call.

18(b) (Reserved).

1(c) Seizure.--The provisions of this section shall not be
2construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an
3interactive wireless communications device, unless otherwise
4provided by law.

5(d) Penalty.--A person who violates subsection (a) commits a
6summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay
7a fine of $50.

8(e) Preemption of local ordinances.--In accordance with
9section 6101 (relating to applicability and uniformity of
10title), this section supersedes and preempts all ordinances of
11any municipality with regard to the use of an interactive
12wireless communications device to send, read or write a text-
13based communication by the driver of a motor vehicle.

14(f) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "text-
15based communication" means a text message, instant message,
16electronic mail or other written communication composed or
17received on an interactive wireless communications device.

18Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.