North Carolina 2023-2024 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 2 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 15 — Hands Free NC.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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

This bill died with 2023-2024 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

13 added · 14 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Senate Bill 15 clarifies the wording around the use of wireless communication devices while driving. It specifies that holding or supporting such devices constitutes operating a motor vehicle and may be considered negligent in damage recovery cases. This change is important because it aims to promote safer driving practices by making it clear that using a phone or similar device can lead to legal consequences if an accident occurs.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Jan 25, 2023 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2023 S 1 SENATE BILL 15 Short Title:
15 SESSION 2023 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45010-NE-8 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO USE A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET, HIGHWAY, OR PUBLIC VEHICULAR AREA.
Rules and Operations of the Senate January 26, 2023 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO USE A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET, HIGHWAY, OR PUBLIC VEHICULAR AREA.
*DRS45010-NE-8* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 (1) With a wireless communication device in the person's hand.
*S15-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 (1) With a wireless communication device in the person's hand.
(2) While physically holdingor supporting a wireless communication device with the person's body;
(2) While physicallyholding or supporting a wireless communication device with the person's body;
Page 2 DRS45010-NE-8 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 (4) A person who violates this section while operating a school bus shall be subject to the penalties provided in subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection but is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any violation instead of an infraction.
Page 2 Senate Bill 15-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 (4) A person who violates this section while operating a school bus shall be subject to the penalties provided in subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection but is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any violation instead of an infraction.
Failure to comply with a restriction concerning the time of driving orthepresenceof asupervising driverin thevehicle constitutesoperatingamotorvehicle without a license.
Failure to comply with a restriction concerning the time of drivingor thepresenceof asupervisingdriverin thevehicle constitutesoperating amotorvehicle without a license.
Failure to comply with the provisions of DRS45010-NE-8 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 subsections (e) and (g) of this section shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence by the driver or passenger in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle.
Failure to comply with the provisions of Senate Bill 15-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 subsections (e) and (g) of this section shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence bythe driver or passenger in anyaction for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle.
Page 4 DRS45010-NE-8
Page 4 Senate Bill 15-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill repeals existing laws regarding mobile phone use while driving and replaces them with a new set of regulations prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices.

  • G.S. 20-137.3

    § 20-137.3. Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age.

    The statute 20-137.3 is repealed entirely.

  • G.S. 20-137.3A

    § 20-137.3A. Unlawful use of a wireless communication device.

    A new section 20-137.3A is added, establishing new regulations on the use of wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle.

  • G.S. 58-36-75

    (i) Unlawful Use of a Wireless Communication Device. – The North Carolina Rate Bureau shall assign one insurance point under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan for a person found responsible under G.S. 20-137.3A(f)(2) and two insurance points for a person found responsible under G.S. 20-137.3A(f)(3).

    New provisions are added regarding insurance points assigned for violations of the new wireless communication device statute.

  • G.S. 20-11(c)(6)

    mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone → wireless communication device

    The terminology is updated to include 'wireless communication device' instead of 'mobile telephone or other additional technology.'

  • G.S. 20-11(d)(2)

    a violation of G.S. 20-137.3 → a violation of G.S. 20-137.3A

    The reference to the statute in the context of violations is updated to the new statute 20-137.3A.

  • G.S. 20-11(e)(6)

    mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone → wireless communication device

    The terminology is updated to include 'wireless communication device' instead of 'mobile telephone or other additional technology.'

  • G.S. 20-11(f)(2)

    a violation of G.S. 20-137.3 → a violation of G.S. 20-137.3A

    The reference to the statute in the context of violations is updated to the new statute 20-137.3A.

  • G.S. 20-11(g)

    G.S. 20-137.3(b) → G.S. 20-137.3A

    The reference to violations is updated to the new statute 20-137.3A.

  • G.S. 20-11(l)

    use of a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle → use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle

    The terminology is updated to enforce rules regarding the use of a 'wireless communication device' instead of just a 'mobile telephone.'

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 175 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (175)

175 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 technology
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 15?
SB 15 is sponsored by Jim Burgin (Republican), Kevin Corbin (Republican), Woodard, and Gale Adcock (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 15?
This bill died with 2023-2024 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 SB 15?
Track SB 15 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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