2023 Senate Bill 241

Traffic control: violations; forwarding abstract of record or report to secretary of state for 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 sections 602c, 732, and 907 (MCL 257.602c, 257.732, and 257.907), section 602c as added by 2012 PA 592, section 732 as amended by 2017 PA 160, and section 907 as amended by 2020 PA 382.

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. Kevin Hertel (D-12) and five co-sponsors

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

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