Bill > HB565

This bill amends and reenacts laws related to the prohibition of the use of certain wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Distributions of fines collected for first and subsequent violations of the wireless device use prohibition to the indigent defender fund of the judicial district where the citation was issued. 2. Expansion of the definition of "wireless telecommunications device" to include any portable electronic device that can be used to write, send, read, access, view, or create text, data, images, or video. 3. Prohibition on the use of wireless telecommunications devices for any purpose while operating a motor vehicle, with some exceptions for emergency situations, hands-free use, and lawful stationary vehicles. 4. Increased fines for first, second, and third violations, and the possibility of community service and driver's license suspension for repeat offenses. 5. Provisions for law enforcement to record the race and ethnicity of violators and report the data annually, as well as restrictions on searches and arrests related to wireless device violations.