Pennsylvania 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 D · 3 R cosponsors

HB 37 — An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in licensing of drivers, further providing for learners' permits and for examination of applicant for driver's license; in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibiting text-based communications, providing for prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices and imposing penalties; and, in operation of vehicles miscellaneous provisions, further providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle and for the offense of aggravated assault by vehicle.

Last action — Laid on the table

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

210 added · 208 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 37 broaden the definition of "interactive wireless communications device" to include additional uses, such as playing games and sharing social media content. They also remove specific exemptions for communications devices attached to mass transit vehicles and modify the language regarding hand-held radios. These changes are significant because they clarify what constitutes distractions while driving, thus promoting safer driving practices.

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PRINTER'S NO.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
489 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
489 PRINTER'S NO.
1019 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
BROWN, MALAGARI, BOBACK, SAPPEY, SANCHEZ, CULVER, FEBRUARY 16, 2021LSON, CIRESI, WEBSTER AND SCHLEGEL REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 AN ACT Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions;
BROWN, MALAGARI, BOBACK, SAPPEY, SANCHEZ, CULVER AND MULLINS, FEBRUARY 16, 2021, WEBSTER, SCHLEGEL AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 23, 2021 AN ACT Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions;
in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibiting text-based communications, providing for prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices and imposing penalties;
in rules of the road in general, further providing for prohibiting text-based communications, providing for prohibiting use of interactive wireless operation of vehicles miscellaneous provisions, further providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle and for the offense of aggravated assault by vehicle.
and, in providing for the offense of homicide by vehicle and for the offense of aggravated assault by vehicle.
(4) a hand-held radio being used by a person with an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission;
(4) a MOBILE OR hand-held radio being used by a person <-- with an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission;
or (7) a device being used exclusively by a commercial driver who within the scope of the individual's employment uses a device if the use is permitted under regulations promulgated under 49 U.S.C.
or (7) a device being used exclusively by a commercial driver who within the scope of the individual's employment uses a device if the use is permitted under regulations 20210HB0037PN1019 - 2 - promulgated under 49 U.S.C.
§ 31136 (relating to United 20210HB0037PN0489 - 2 - States Government regulations).
§ 31136 (relating to United States Government regulations).
* * * 20210HB0037PN0489 - 3 - Section 2.1.
20210HB0037PN1019 - 3 - * * * Section 2.1.
(1) the driver reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name in an interactive wireless communications device for the purposes of activating or deactivating a voice 20210HB0037PN0489 - 4 - communication or a telephone call;
(1) the driver reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name in an interactive wireless communications 20210HB0037PN1019 - 4 - device for the purposes of activating or deactivating a voice communication or a telephone call;
(b) Seizure.--The provisions of this section shall not be 20210HB0037PN0489 - 5 - construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an interactive wireless communications device unless otherwise provided by law.
20210HB0037PN1019 - 5 - (b) Seizure.--The provisions of this section shall not be construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of an interactive wireless communications device unless otherwise provided by law.
(g) Prohibition on similar citations.--No person may be charged with a violation of section 3316 (relating to prohibiting text-based communications) concurrently with a violation of subsection (a) for an offense committed at the same 20210HB0037PN0489 - 6 - time and place.
(g) Prohibition on similar citations.--No person may be charged with a violation of section 3316 (relating to prohibiting text-based communications) concurrently with a 20210HB0037PN1019 - 6 - violation of subsection (a) for an offense committed at the same time and place.
* * * (b) Sentencing.-- 20210HB0037PN0489 - 7 - * * * (2) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) who is also convicted of a violation of section 1501 (relating to drivers required to be licensed), 1543 (relating to driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked), 3316 (relating to prohibiting text-based communications), 3316.1 (relating to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices), 3325 (relating to duty of driver on approach of emergency vehicle) or 3327 (relating to duty of driver in emergency response areas and in relation to disabled vehicles) may be sentenced to an additional term not to exceed two years' confinement.
* * * 20210HB0037PN1019 - 7 - (b) Sentencing.-- * * * (2) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person convicted of a violation of subsection (a) who is also convicted of a violation of section 1501 (relating to drivers required to be licensed), 1543 (relating to driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked), 3316 (relating to prohibiting text-based communications), 3316.1 (relating to prohibiting use of interactive wireless communications devices), 3325 (relating to duty of driver on approach of emergency vehicle) or 3327 (relating to duty of driver in emergency response areas and in relation to disabled vehicles) may be sentenced to an additional term not to exceed two years' confinement.
20210HB0037PN0489 - 8 -
20210HB0037PN1019 - 8 -
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Action History

  1. Laid on the table

  2. Removed from table

  3. Laid on the table

  4. Removed from table

  5. Laid on the table

  6. Removed from table

  7. Laid on the table

  8. Removed from table

  9. Laid on the table

  10. Removed from table

  11. Laid on the table

  12. First consideration

  13. PN 1019 Reported as amended

  14. PN 0489 Referred to TRANSPORTATION

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 13 co-sponsors · 239 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (13)

Not signed on (239)

239 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 37?
HB 37 is sponsored by Rosemary M. Brown (Republican), Steven R. Malagari (Democratic), Boback, Christina D. Sappey (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Michael H. Schlossberg (Democratic), James B. Struzzi (Republican), Ed Neilson (Democratic), Joe Ciresi (Democratic), Joe Webster (Democratic), Lynda Schlegel Culver (Republican), Kyle J. Mullins (Democratic), Stephens, and Daniel J. Deasy (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 37?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 37?
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