2023 Senate Bill 239

Traffic control: violations; penalties for operating a vehicle while sending or receiving a message on an electronic wireless device; enhance.

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 602b (MCL 257.602b), as amended by 2016 PA 332.

House Fiscal Agency Analysis

Taken together, Senate Bills 239-241 would modify provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code that prohibit and penalize texting while driving. Specifically, the bills would prohibit an individual from using a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle and prescribe situations under which the prohibition would not apply, such as the use of a device for emergency purposes. The bills would increase civil fines for violating the modified prohibition and double the fines if the violation involved an accident. They also would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to suspend an individual's driver license for up to 90 days if the individual violated the prohibition three or more times within a three-year period.

Introduced in the Senate

March 23, 2023

Introduced by Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-16) and seven co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Paul Wojno (D-10), Kevin Hertel (D-12), Mallory McMorrow (D-8), Darrin Camilleri (D-4), Dayna Polehanki (D-5), Stephanie Chang (D-3) and Rosemary Bayer (D-13)

Referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety