CT
Connecticut House Bill HB07060

Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07060 Compare Versions

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3-LCO 1 of 15
3+LCO No. 5001 1 of 18
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5-General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7060
5+General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7060
66 January Session, 2025
7+LCO No. 5001
78
9+
10+Referred to Committee on TRANSPORTATION
11+
12+
13+Introduced by:
14+(TRA)
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1219 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION WORKER SAFETY.
1320 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1421 Assembly convened:
1522
1623 Section 1. (Effective from passage) Connecticut Special Service Road 495 1
1724 from Miller Avenue southerly to the southbound Connecticut Route 15 2
1825 access ramp in the city of Meriden shall be designated the "Andrew 3
1926 DiDomenico Memorial Highway". 4
2027 Sec. 2. (Effective from passage) Bridge No. 01241 carrying Jude Lane 5
2128 over Interstate Route 84 eastbound and westbound in the town of 6
2229 Southington shall be designated the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. 7
2330 Pelletier Memorial Bridge". 8
2431 Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) For the purposes of this 9
2532 section: 10
2633 (1) "Highway work zone" and "highway worker" have the same 11
2734 meanings as provided in section 14-212d of the general statutes, as 12
2835 amended by this act; 13
2936 (2) "Emergency vehicle" has the same meaning as provided in section 14
37+Raised Bill No. 7060
38+
39+
40+
41+LCO No. 5001 2 of 18
42+
3043 14-283 of the general statutes; 15
3144 (3) "Drivers' school" has the same meaning as provided in section 14-16
32-68 of the general statutes; and 17 Substitute Bill No. 7060
33-
34-
35-LCO 2 of 15
36-
45+68 of the general statutes; and 17
3746 (4) "Moving violation" and "suspension violation" have the same 18
3847 meanings as provided in section 14-111g of the general statutes. 19
3948 (b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require the attendance 20
4049 and successful completion of a highway work zone and roadside vehicle 21
41-safety awareness program by (1) any applicant for a motor vehicle 22
42-operator's license or instruction permit issued under section 14-36 of the 23
43-general statutes, as amended by this act, and (2) any motor vehicle 24
44-operator who has been convicted of a violation of section 14-283b of the 25
45-general statutes, as amended by this act, or 14-212d of the general 26
46-statutes, as amended by this act. 27
50+awareness program by (1) any applicant for a motor vehicle operator's 22
51+license or instruction permit issued under section 14-36 of the general 23
52+statutes, as amended by this act, and (2) any motor vehicle operator who 24
53+has been convicted of a violation of section 14-283b of the general 25
54+statutes, as amended by this act, or 14-212d of the general statutes, as 26
55+amended by this act. 27
4756 (c) The highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness 28
48-program shall, at a minimum, (1) review principles of safe motor vehicle 29
49-operation, (2) highlight the dangers of highway work zones, (3) 30
50-emphasize risks associated with unsafe driving in a highway work zone, 31
51-(4) include testimonials from highway workers and the families of 32
52-highway workers, (5) emphasize the dangers posed by vehicles that are 33
53-located on the shoulder of a highway, (6) review proper interactions 34
54-with emergency vehicles, and (7) conclude with a test in a written or 35
55-electronic format. 36
56-(d) Such program shall be offered by the Department of Motor 37
57-Vehicles, or by any other organization certified by the commissioner to 38
58-conduct such program in person in a congregate setting, through 39
59-distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and 40
60-distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive 41
61-components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing. 42
62-Any drivers' school that meets the licensure requirement of part IV of 43
63-chapter 246 of the general statutes shall be eligible to seek certification 44
64-to offer the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness 45
65-program. The commissioner shall determine the number of program 46
66-providers necessary to serve the needs of the public. 47
67-(e) (1) Each organization or drivers' school seeking certification or 48
68-recertification to conduct such program shall submit an application to 49 Substitute Bill No. 7060
57+program shall be taught by a designee of the Commissioner of Motor 29
58+Vehicles or by an instructor approved by the commissioner. Such 30
59+program, at a minimum, shall (1) review principles of safe motor vehicle 31
60+operation, (2) highlight the dangers of highway work zones, (3) 32
61+emphasize risks associated with unsafe driving in a highway work zone, 33
62+(4) include testimonials from highway workers and the families of 34
63+highway workers, (5) emphasize the dangers posed by vehicles that are 35
64+located on the shoulder of a highway, (6) review proper interactions 36
65+with emergency vehicles, and (7) conclude with a test in a written or 37
66+electronic format. 38
67+(d) Such program shall be offered by the Department of Motor 39
68+Vehicles, or by any other organization certified by the commissioner to 40
69+conduct such program in person in a congregate setting, through 41
70+distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and 42
71+distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive 43
72+components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing. 44
73+Any drivers' school that means the licensure requirement of part IV of 45
74+Raised Bill No. 7060
6975
7076
71-LCO 3 of 15
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73-the department in such form as the commissioner shall require and an 50
74-application fee of three hundred fifty dollars. Each such applicant shall: 51
75-(A) Be registered to do business in this state and continuously 52
76-maintain good standing with the office of the Secretary of the State; 53
77-(B) File and continuously maintain a surety bond in the amount of 54
78-fifty thousand dollars. Such bond shall be conditioned upon compliance 55
79-with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation concerning 56
80-the conduct of a highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety 57
81-awareness program and provided as indemnity for any loss or expense 58
82-sustained by either the state or any person by reason of any acts or 59
83-omissions of the program provider. Such bond shall be executed in the 60
84-name of the State of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved party, 61
85-but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of 62
86-the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles after a hearing held before the 63
87-commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the 64
88-general statutes; 65
89-(C) Have a permanent place of business in this state where all records 66
90-pertaining to such program shall be maintained and accessible to the 67
91-commissioner during normal business hours; 68
92-(D) Submit for approval by the commissioner a detailed curriculum 69
93-and lesson plan, including any changes to such curriculum and lesson 70
94-plan, which shall be used in each program; and 71
95-(E) Electronically transmit information concerning enrollment and 72
96-program completion to the commissioner at such times and in such form 73
97-as the commissioner shall prescribe. 74
98-(2) Prior to the certification of an applicant, the commissioner shall 75
99-investigate the applicant's character, driving history and criminal 76
100-history. If the applicant is a business entity, such investigation shall 77
101-include the principals and officers of such entity. The applicant shall 78
102-submit to the commissioner any information pertaining to current or 79
103-past criminal or civil actions. The certification of a program provider by 80 Substitute Bill No. 7060
78+LCO No. 5001 3 of 18
79+
80+chapter 246 of the general statutes shall be eligible to seek certification 46
81+to offer the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness 47
82+program. The commissioner shall determine the number of program 48
83+providers necessary to serve the needs of the public. 49
84+(e) (1) Each organization or drivers' school seeking certification or 50
85+recertification to conduct such program shall submit an application to 51
86+the department in such form as the commissioner shall require and an 52
87+application fee of three hundred fifty dollars. Each such applicant shall: 53
88+(A) Be registered to do business in this state and continuously 54
89+maintain good standing with the office of the Secretary of the State; 55
90+(B) File and continuously maintain a surety bond in the amount of 56
91+fifty thousand dollars. Such bond shall be conditioned upon compliance 57
92+with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation concerning 58
93+the conduct of a highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety 59
94+awareness program and provided as indemnity for any loss or expense 60
95+sustained by either the state or any person by reason of any acts or 61
96+omissions of the program provider. Such bond shall be executed in the 62
97+name of the State of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved party, 63
98+but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of 64
99+the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles after a hearing held before the 65
100+commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the 66
101+general statutes; 67
102+(C) Have a permanent place of business in this state where all records 68
103+pertaining to such program shall be maintained and accessible to the 69
104+commissioner during normal business hours; 70
105+(D) Submit for approval by the commissioner a detailed curriculum 71
106+and lesson plan, including any changes to such curriculum and lesson 72
107+plan, which shall be used in each program; and 73
108+(E) Electronically transmit information concerning enrollment and 74
109+program completion to the commissioner at such times and in such form 75
110+Raised Bill No. 7060
104111
105112
106-LCO 4 of 15
107113
108-the commissioner shall not be transferable and shall be valid for a two-81
109-year period. Recertification of a provider shall be at the discretion of the 82
110-commissioner and in such form and manner determined by the 83
111-commissioner. 84
112-(f) Any person who is required to attend a highway work zone and 85
113-roadside vehicle safety program because such person has been 86
114-convicted of a violation of section 14-283b of the general statutes, as 87
115-amended by this act, or 14-212d of the general statutes, as amended by 88
116-this act, shall (1) attend and successfully complete such program in 89
117-person in a congregate setting, and (2) have such requirement and the 90
118-completion date of such requirement posted on such person's driving 91
119-history record maintained by the commissioner. The date of program 92
120-completion shall remain on such person's driving history record until 93
121-such person has attained thirty-six consecutive months without any 94
122-additional moving violations, suspension violations or violation of 95
123-section 14-283b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, being 96
124-posted to such person's driving history record. Until the completion of 97
125-such thirty-six consecutive months, the Commissioner of Motor 98
126-Vehicles shall suspend such person's operator's license or operating 99
127-privilege for: (A) Thirty days upon a first conviction for any specified 100
128-moving violation, suspension violation or violation of section 14-283b of 101
129-the general statutes, as amended by this act; (B) sixty days upon a second 102
130-conviction for any specified moving violation, suspension violation or 103
131-violation of section 14-283b of the general statutes, as amended by this 104
132-act; and (C) ninety days for a third or subsequent conviction of a 105
133-specified moving violation, suspension violation or violation of section 106
134-14-283b of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 107
135-(g) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with 108
136-chapter 54 of the general statutes, to implement the provisions of this 109
137-section. 110
138-Sec. 4. Subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the general statutes is 111
139-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 112
140-1, 2025): 113 Substitute Bill No. 7060
114+LCO No. 5001 4 of 18
115+
116+as the commissioner shall prescribe. 76
117+(2) Prior to the certification of an applicant, the commissioner shall 77
118+investigate the applicant's character, driving history and criminal 78
119+history. If the applicant is a business entity, such investigation shall 79
120+include the principals and officers of such entity. The applicant shall 80
121+submit to the commissioner any information pertaining to current or 81
122+past criminal or civil actions. The certification of a program provider by 82
123+the commissioner shall not be transferable and shall be valid for a two-83
124+year period. Recertification of a provider shall be at the discretion of the 84
125+commissioner and in such form and manner determined by the 85
126+commissioner. 86
127+(f) Any person who is required to attend a highway work zone and 87
128+roadside vehicle safety program because such person has been 88
129+convicted of a violation of section 14-283b of the general statutes, as 89
130+amended by this act, or 14-212d of the general statutes, as amended by 90
131+this act, shall (1) attend and successfully complete such program in 91
132+person in a congregate setting, and (2) shall have such requirement and 92
133+the completion date of such requirement posted on such person's 93
134+driving history record maintained by the commissioner. The date of 94
135+program completion shall remain on such person's driving history 95
136+record until such person has attained thirty-six consecutive months 96
137+without any additional moving violations, suspension violations or 97
138+violation of section 14-283b of the general statutes, as amended by this 98
139+act, being posted to such person's driving history record. Until the 99
140+completion of such thirty-six consecutive months, the Commissioner of 100
141+Motor Vehicles shall suspend such person's operator's license or 101
142+operating privilege for: (A) Thirty days upon a first conviction for any 102
143+specified moving violation, suspension violation or violation of section 103
144+14-283b of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (B) sixty days 104
145+upon a second conviction for any specified moving violation, 105
146+suspension violation or violation of section 14-283b of the general 106
147+statutes, as amended by this act; and (C) ninety days for a third or 107
148+subsequent conviction of a specified moving violation, suspension 108
149+Raised Bill No. 7060
141150
142151
143-LCO 5 of 15
144152
145-(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 114
146-applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 115
147-has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 116
148-specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the 117
149-commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a 118
150-certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, 119
151-a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of 120
152-a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided 121
153-in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed 122
154-drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training 123
155-in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each 124
156-case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful 125
157-completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-126
158-the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit 127
159-is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in 128
160-such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the 129
161-successful completion of (i) a course of not less than eight hours relative 130
162-to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the 131
163-nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol 132
164-and drugs, including cannabis, as defined in section 21a-420, and their 133
165-impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with 134
166-the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or 135
167-drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, the 136
168-penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations and a 137
169-video presentation specific to the impact of cannabis on the operator of 138
170-a motor vehicle and how the ingestion of cannabis can cause impairment 139
171-of motor function, reaction time, perception and peripheral vision, and 140
172-(ii) for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or 141
173-after October 1, 2025, the highway work zone and roadside vehicle 142
174-safety awareness program described in section 3 of this act; and (C) pass 143
175-an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to 144
176-knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 145
177-road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section 146
178-and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the 147
179-commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor 148 Substitute Bill No. 7060
153+LCO No. 5001 5 of 18
154+
155+violation or violation of section 14-283b of the general statutes, as 109
156+amended by this act. 110
157+(g) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with 111
158+chapter 54 of the general statutes to implement the provisions of this 112
159+section. 113
160+Sec. 4. Subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the general statutes is 114
161+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 115
162+1, 2025): 116
163+(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 117
164+applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 118
165+has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 119
166+specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the 120
167+commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a 121
168+certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, 122
169+a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of 123
170+a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided 124
171+in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed 125
172+drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training 126
173+in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each 127
174+case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful 128
175+completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-129
176+the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit 130
177+is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in 131
178+such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the 132
179+successful completion of (i) a course of not less than eight hours relative 133
180+to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the 134
181+nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol 135
182+and drugs, including cannabis, as defined in section 21a-420, and their 136
183+impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with 137
184+the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or 138
185+drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, the 139
186+penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations and a 140
187+Raised Bill No. 7060
180188
181189
182-LCO 6 of 15
183190
184-vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age 149
185-shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 150
186-eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under 151
187-subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall 152
188-have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 153
189-twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and 154
190-instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in 155
191-accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such 156
192-permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner 157
193-shall approve the content of the safe driving [instruction] practices 158
194-course at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. 159
195-Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may 160
196-impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed 161
197-in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or 162
198-secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the 163
199-provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to 164
200-knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 165
201-road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part 166
202-of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph 167
203-(B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, 168
204-the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction 169
205-required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition 170
206-to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course 171
207-required under subparagraph [(B)] (B)(i) or subparagraph (B)(ii) of this 172
208-subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant 173
209-sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, 174
210-completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, 175
211-but did not complete the safe driving practices course required in 176
212-subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving 177
213-practices course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this 178
214-subdivision, except for [that in] the requirements of subparagraph (C) 179
215-of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years 180
216-of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 181
217-other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has 182
218-received training and instruction of a similar nature. 183 Substitute Bill No. 7060
191+LCO No. 5001 6 of 18
192+
193+video presentation specific to the impact of cannabis on the operator of 141
194+a motor vehicle and how the ingestion of cannabis can cause impairment 142
195+of motor function, reaction time, perception and peripheral vision, and 143
196+(ii) for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or 144
197+after October 1, 2025, the highway work zone and roadside vehicle 145
198+safety awareness program described in section 3 of this act; and (C) pass 146
199+an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to 147
200+knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 148
201+road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section 149
202+and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the 150
203+commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor 151
204+vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age 152
205+shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 153
206+eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under 154
207+subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall 155
208+have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 156
209+twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and 157
210+instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in 158
211+accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such 159
212+permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner 160
213+shall approve the content of the safe driving [instruction] practices 161
214+course at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. 162
215+Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may 163
216+impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed 164
217+in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or 165
218+secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the 166
219+provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to 167
220+knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 168
221+road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part 169
222+of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph 170
223+(B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, 171
224+the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction 172
225+required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition 173
226+to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course 174
227+Raised Bill No. 7060
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223-(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training 184
224-under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home 185
225-training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the 186
226-commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such 187
227-statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or 188
228-by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, 189
229-and state that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and 190
230-has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person 191
231-signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for 192
232-at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the 193
233-signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at 194
234-least four years preceding the date of the statement. If the applicant has 195
235-no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified 196
236-and available to give the instruction, such statement may be signed by 197
237-the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or 198
238-marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified. 199
239-(3) The knowledge test for a class D motor vehicle operator's license 200
240-required under this section shall be administered (A) in electronic and 201
241-audio format and any other format the commissioner deems 202
242-appropriate, and (B) at the option of the applicant, in English, Spanish 203
243-or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's 204
244-population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census 205
245-Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. The knowledge test 206
246-shall also be administered in a written or electronic format in at least 207
247-twenty-six other languages that the commissioner, in consultation with 208
248-representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of or assist 209
249-immigrants, refugees or other persons who are English language 210
250-learners, determines are responsive to the linguistic needs of the 211
251-emerging immigrant and refugee populations in the state. Each 212
252-knowledge test offered in such other languages shall be reviewed by a 213
253-person who is fluent in the language of such knowledge test and may 214
254-also be administered in an audio format as the commissioner deems 215
255-appropriate. The commissioner shall require any applicant under this 216
256-section to have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation 217 Substitute Bill No. 7060
231+LCO No. 5001 7 of 18
232+
233+required under subparagraph (B)(ii) or subparagraph (B)(iii) of this 175
234+subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant 176
235+sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, 177
236+completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, 178
237+but did not complete the safe driving practices course required in 179
238+subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving 180
239+practices course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this 181
240+subdivision, except for [that in] the requirements of subparagraph (C) 182
241+of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years 183
242+of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 184
243+other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has 185
244+received training and instruction of a similar nature. 186
245+(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training 187
246+under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home 188
247+training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the 189
248+commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such 190
249+statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or 191
250+by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, 192
251+and state that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and 193
252+has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person 194
253+signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for 195
254+at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the 196
255+signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at 197
256+least four years preceding the date of the statement. If the applicant has 198
257+no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified 199
258+and available to give the instruction, such statement may be signed by 200
259+the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or 201
260+marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified. 202
261+(3) The knowledge test for a class D motor vehicle operator's license 203
262+required under this section shall be administered (A) in electronic and 204
263+audio format and any other format the commissioner deems 205
264+appropriate, and (B) at the option of the applicant, in English, Spanish 206
265+or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's 207
266+Raised Bill No. 7060
257267
258268
259-LCO 8 of 15
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261-of traffic control signs. 218
262-(4) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the 219
263-provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection 220
264-concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road 221
265-instruction, the content of safe driving [instruction] practices course at 222
266-drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the 223
267-administration and certification of required testing. 224
268-Sec. 5. Section 14-37b of the general statutes is repealed and the 225
269-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 226
270-Any applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license who has not 227
271-previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license and who 228
272-does not hold a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 229
273-other state, by any territory or possession of the United States, or by any 230
274-foreign country with which the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has an 231
275-agreement for reciprocal recognition of driver training requirements, 232
276-shall be subject to the requirements of subdivision (3) of subsection (e) 233
277-of section 14-36 and shall be required to present to the Commissioner of 234
278-Motor Vehicles a certificate of the successful completion of (1) a course 235
279-of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including 236
280-a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and 237
281-physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the 238
282-operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation 239
283-of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the 240
284-operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for 241
285-alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations, and (2) on and after 242
286-October 1, 2025, the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety 243
287-awareness program described in section 3 of this act. The commissioner 244
288-may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, 245
289-establishing standards for commercial drivers' schools that are licensed 246
290-in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 to offer and conduct 247
291-the course of instruction required by this section. 248
292-Sec. 6. Section 14-222 of the general statutes is repealed and the 249 Substitute Bill No. 7060
270+LCO No. 5001 8 of 18
271+
272+population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census 208
273+Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. The knowledge test 209
274+shall also be administered in a written or electronic format in at least 210
275+twenty-six other languages that the commissioner, in consultation with 211
276+representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of or assist 212
277+immigrants, refugees or other persons who are English language 213
278+learners, determines are responsive to the linguistic needs of the 214
279+emerging immigrant and refugee populations in the state. Each 215
280+knowledge test offered in such other languages shall be reviewed by a 216
281+person who is fluent in the language of such knowledge test and may 217
282+also be administered in an audio format as the commissioner deems 218
283+appropriate. The commissioner shall require any applicant under this 219
284+section to have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation 220
285+of traffic control signs. 221
286+(4) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the 222
287+provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection 223
288+concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road 224
289+instruction, the content of safe driving [instruction] practices course at 225
290+drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the 226
291+administration and certification of required testing. 227
292+Sec. 5. Section 14-37b of the general statutes is repealed and the 228
293+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 229
294+Any applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license who has not 230
295+previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license and who 231
296+does not hold a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 232
297+other state, by any territory or possession of the United States, or by any 233
298+foreign country with which the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has an 234
299+agreement for reciprocal recognition of driver training requirements, 235
300+shall be subject to the requirements of subdivision (3) of subsection (e) 236
301+of section 14-36 and shall be required to present to the Commissioner of 237
302+Motor Vehicles a certificate of the successful completion of (1) a course 238
303+of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including 239
304+Raised Bill No. 7060
293305
294306
295-LCO 9 of 15
296307
297-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 250
298-(a) (1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public 251
299-highway of the state, or any road of any specially chartered municipal 252
300-association or of any district organized under the provisions of chapter 253
301-105, a purpose of which is the construction and maintenance of roads 254
302-and sidewalks, or in any parking area for ten cars or more or upon any 255
303-private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance 256
304-with the provisions of section 14-218a or section 14-307a or upon any 257
305-school property recklessly, having regard to the width, traffic and use 258
306-of such highway, road, school property or parking area, the intersection 259
307-of streets and the weather conditions. 260
308-(2) The operation of a motor vehicle upon any such highway, road or 261
309-parking area for ten cars or more at such a rate of speed as to endanger 262
310-the life of any person other than the operator of such motor vehicle, or 263
311-the operation, downgrade, upon any highway, of any motor vehicle 264
312-with a commercial registration with the clutch or gears disengaged, or 265
313-the operation knowingly of a motor vehicle with defective mechanism, 266
314-shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this section. 267
315-(3) The operation of a motor vehicle upon any such highway, road or 268
316-parking area for ten cars or more at a rate of speed greater than eighty-269
317-five miles per hour shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this 270
318-section. 271
319-(4) The operation of a motor vehicle upon a limited access highway 272
320-while engaged in any activity prohibited by section 14-296aa, as 273
321-amended by this act, shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this 274
322-section. 275
323-(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section (1) for the 276
324-first offense, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more 277
325-than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or 278
326-be both fined and imprisoned, [for the first offense] except any person 279
327-who violates any provision of this section while operating a motor 280
328-vehicle within a highway work zone, as defined in section 14-212d, as 281 Substitute Bill No. 7060
308+LCO No. 5001 9 of 18
309+
310+a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and 240
311+physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the 241
312+operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation 242
313+of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the 243
314+operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for 244
315+alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations, and (2) on and after 245
316+October 1, 2025, the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety 246
317+awareness program described in section 3 of this act. The commissioner 247
318+may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, 248
319+establishing standards for commercial drivers' schools that are licensed 249
320+in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 to offer and conduct 250
321+the course of instruction required by this section. 251
322+Sec. 6. Section 14-222 of the general statutes is repealed and the 252
323+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 253
324+(a) (1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public 254
325+highway of the state, or any road of any specially chartered municipal 255
326+association or of any district organized under the provisions of chapter 256
327+105, a purpose of which is the construction and maintenance of roads 257
328+and sidewalks, or in any parking area for ten cars or more or upon any 258
329+private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance 259
330+with the provisions of section 14-218a or section 14-307a or upon any 260
331+school property recklessly, having regard to the width, traffic and use 261
332+of such highway, road, school property or parking area, the intersection 262
333+of streets and the weather conditions. 263
334+(2) The operation of a motor vehicle upon any such highway, road or 264
335+parking area for ten cars or more at such a rate of speed as to endanger 265
336+the life of any person other than the operator of such motor vehicle, or 266
337+the operation, downgrade, upon any highway, of any motor vehicle 267
338+with a commercial registration with the clutch or gears disengaged, or 268
339+the operation knowingly of a motor vehicle with defective mechanism, 269
340+shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this section. 270
341+Raised Bill No. 7060
329342
330343
331-LCO 10 of 15
332344
333-amended by this act, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars 282
334-or imprisoned more than three months or be both fined and imprisoned, 283
335-and (2) for each subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than six 284
336-hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined 285
337-and imprisoned. 286
338-Sec. 7. Section 14-296aa of the general statutes is repealed and the 287
339-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 288
340-(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 289
341-following meanings: 290
342-(1) "Mobile telephone" means a cellular, analog, wireless or digital 291
343-telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone communications 292
344-without an access line for service. 293
345-(2) "Using" or "use" means holding a hand-held mobile telephone to, 294
346-or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear. 295
347-(3) "Hand-held mobile telephone" means a mobile telephone with 296
348-which a user engages in a call using at least one hand. 297
349-(4) "Hands-free accessory" means an attachment, add-on, built-in 298
350-feature, or addition to a mobile telephone, whether or not permanently 299
351-installed in a motor vehicle, that, when used, allows the vehicle operator 300
352-to maintain both hands on the steering wheel. 301
353-(5) "Hands-free mobile telephone" means a hand-held mobile 302
354-telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped 303
355-with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of 304
356-such hand-held mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call 305
357-without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is 306
358-necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. 307
359-(6) "Engage in a call" means talking into or listening on a hand-held 308
360-mobile telephone, but does not include holding a hand-held mobile 309
361-telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. 310 Substitute Bill No. 7060
345+LCO No. 5001 10 of 18
346+
347+(3) The operation of a motor vehicle upon any such highway, road or 271
348+parking area for ten cars or more at a rate of speed greater than eighty-272
349+five miles per hour shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this 273
350+section. 274
351+(4) The operation of a motor vehicle upon a limited access highway 275
352+while engaged in any activity prohibited by section 14-296aa, as 276
353+amended by this act, shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this 277
354+section. 278
355+(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section (1) for the 279
356+first offense, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more 280
357+than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or 281
358+be both fined and imprisoned, [for the first offense] except any person 282
359+who violates any provision of this section while operating a motor 283
360+vehicle within a highway work zone, as defined in section 14-212d, as 284
361+amended by this act, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars 285
362+or imprisoned more than three months or be both fined and imprisoned, 286
363+and (2) for each subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than six 287
364+hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined 288
365+and imprisoned. 289
366+Sec. 7. Section 14-296aa of the general statutes is repealed and the 290
367+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 291
368+(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 292
369+following meanings: 293
370+(1) "Mobile telephone" means a cellular, analog, wireless or digital 294
371+telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone communications 295
372+without an access line for service. 296
373+(2) "Using" or "use" means holding a hand-held mobile telephone to, 297
374+or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear. 298
375+(3) "Hand-held mobile telephone" means a mobile telephone with 299
376+Raised Bill No. 7060
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366-(7) "Immediate proximity" means the distance that permits the 311
367-operator of a hand-held mobile telephone to hear telecommunications 312
368-transmitted over such hand-held mobile telephone, but does not require 313
369-physical contact with such operator's ear. 314
370-(8) "Mobile electronic device" means any hand-held or other portable 315
371-electronic equipment capable of providing data communication 316
372-between two or more persons, including a text messaging device, a 317
373-paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, 318
374-equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video 319
375-disk, or equipment on which digital photographs are taken or 320
376-transmitted, or any combination thereof, but does not include any audio 321
377-equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the 322
378-purpose of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator 323
379-of such motor vehicle or video entertainment to the passengers in the 324
380-rear seats of such motor vehicle. 325
381-(9) "Operating a motor vehicle" means operating a motor vehicle on 326
382-any highway, [as defined in section 14-1,] including being temporarily 327
383-stationary due to traffic, road conditions or a traffic control sign or 328
384-signal, but not including being parked on the side or shoulder of any 329
385-highway where such vehicle is safely able to remain stationary. 330
386-(10) "Highway", "commercial motor vehicle" and "authorized 331
387-emergency vehicle" have the same meanings as provided in section 14-332
388-1. 333
389-(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and 334
390-subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person shall operate a motor 335
391-vehicle upon a highway [, as defined in section 14-1,] while using a 336
392-hand-held mobile telephone to engage in a call or while using a mobile 337
393-electronic device. An operator of a motor vehicle who types, sends or 338
394-reads a text message with a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile 339
395-electronic device while operating a motor vehicle shall be in violation of 340
396-this section, except that if such operator is driving a commercial motor 341
397-vehicle, [as defined in section 14-1,] such operator shall be charged with 342 Substitute Bill No. 7060
380+LCO No. 5001 11 of 18
381+
382+which a user engages in a call using at least one hand. 300
383+(4) "Hands-free accessory" means an attachment, add-on, built-in 301
384+feature, or addition to a mobile telephone, whether or not permanently 302
385+installed in a motor vehicle, that, when used, allows the vehicle operator 303
386+to maintain both hands on the steering wheel. 304
387+(5) "Hands-free mobile telephone" means a hand-held mobile 305
388+telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped 306
389+with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of 307
390+such hand-held mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call 308
391+without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is 309
392+necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. 310
393+(6) "Engage in a call" means talking into or listening on a hand-held 311
394+mobile telephone, but does not include holding a hand-held mobile 312
395+telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. 313
396+(7) "Immediate proximity" means the distance that permits the 314
397+operator of a hand-held mobile telephone to hear telecommunications 315
398+transmitted over such hand-held mobile telephone, but does not require 316
399+physical contact with such operator's ear. 317
400+(8) "Mobile electronic device" means any hand-held or other portable 318
401+electronic equipment capable of providing data communication 319
402+between two or more persons, including a text messaging device, a 320
403+paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, 321
404+equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video 322
405+disk, or equipment on which digital photographs are taken or 323
406+transmitted, or any combination thereof, but does not include any audio 324
407+equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the 325
408+purpose of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator 326
409+of such motor vehicle or video entertainment to the passengers in the 327
410+rear seats of such motor vehicle. 328
411+(9) "Operating a motor vehicle" means operating a motor vehicle on 329
412+Raised Bill No. 7060
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400-LCO 12 of 15
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402-a violation of subsection (e) of this section. 343
403-(2) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a hand-held mobile 344
404-telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while 345
405-operating a motor vehicle is presumed to be engaging in a call within 346
406-the meaning of this section. The presumption established by this 347
407-subdivision is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator 348
408-was not engaged in a call. 349
409-(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as 350
410-authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a hand-held mobile telephone or 351
411-a mobile electronic device, unless otherwise provided by law. 352
412-(4) Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to: (A) The use 353
413-of a hand-held mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating 354
414-with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: An 355
415-emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health 356
416-clinic; an ambulance company; a fire department; or a police 357
417-department, or (B) any of the following persons while in the 358
418-performance of their official duties and within the scope of their 359
419-employment: A peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 360
420-53a-3, a firefighter or an operator of an ambulance or authorized 361
421-emergency vehicle [, as defined in section 14-1,] or a member of the 362
422-armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 27-103, while 363
423-operating a military vehicle, or (C) the use of a hand-held radio by a 364
424-person with an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal 365
425-Communications Commission in emergency situations for emergency 366
426-purposes only, or (D) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone. 367
427-(c) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other 368
428-electronic device, including those with hands-free accessories, or a 369
429-mobile electronic device, while operating a school bus that is carrying 370
430-passengers, except that this subsection shall not apply when such 371
431-person: (1) Places an emergency call to school officials; (2) uses a hand-372
432-held mobile telephone as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision 373
433-(4) of subsection (b) of this section; (3) uses a hand-held mobile 374 Substitute Bill No. 7060
416+LCO No. 5001 12 of 18
417+
418+any highway, [as defined in section 14-1,] including being temporarily 330
419+stationary due to traffic, road conditions or a traffic control sign or 331
420+signal, but not including being parked on the side or shoulder of any 332
421+highway where such vehicle is safely able to remain stationary. 333
422+(10) "Highway", "commercial motor vehicle" and "authorized 334
423+emergency vehicle" have the same meanings as provided in section 14-335
424+1. 336
425+(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and 337
426+subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person shall operate a motor 338
427+vehicle upon a highway [, as defined in section 14-1,] while using a 339
428+hand-held mobile telephone to engage in a call or while using a mobile 340
429+electronic device. An operator of a motor vehicle who types, sends or 341
430+reads a text message with a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile 342
431+electronic device while operating a motor vehicle shall be in violation of 343
432+this section, except that if such operator is driving a commercial motor 344
433+vehicle, [as defined in section 14-1,] such operator shall be charged with 345
434+a violation of subsection (e) of this section. 346
435+(2) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a hand-held mobile 347
436+telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while 348
437+operating a motor vehicle is presumed to be engaging in a call within 349
438+the meaning of this section. The presumption established by this 350
439+subdivision is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator 351
440+was not engaged in a call. 352
441+(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as 353
442+authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a hand-held mobile telephone or 354
443+a mobile electronic device, unless otherwise provided by law. 355
444+(4) Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to: (A) The use 356
445+of a hand-held mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating 357
446+with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: An 358
447+emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health 359
448+clinic; an ambulance company; a fire department; or a police 360
449+Raised Bill No. 7060
434450
435451
436-LCO 13 of 15
437452
438-telephone or mobile electronic device in a manner similar to a two-way 375
439-radio to allow real-time communication with a school official, an 376
440-emergency response operator, a hospital, physician's office or health 377
441-clinic, an ambulance company, a fire department or a police department; 378
442-or (4) uses a mobile electronic device with a video display, provided 379
443-such device (A) is used as a global positioning system or to provide 380
444-navigation, (B) is securely attached inside the school bus near such 381
445-person, and (C) has been approved for such use by the Department of 382
446-Motor Vehicles. 383
447-(d) No person under eighteen years of age shall use any hand-held 384
448-mobile telephone, including one with a hands-free accessory, or a 385
449-mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a public 386
450-highway, except as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of 387
451-subsection (b) of this section. 388
452-(e) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other 389
453-electronic device or type, read or send text or a text message with or 390
454-from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a 391
455-commercial motor vehicle, [as defined in section 14-1,] except for the 392
456-purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an 393
457-emergency situation: An emergency response operator; a hospital; 394
458-physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire 395
459-department or a police department. 396
460-(f) Except as provided in subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this 397
461-section, no person shall engage in any activity not related to the actual 398
462-operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe 399
463-operation of such vehicle on any highway. [, as defined in section 14-1.] 400
464-(g) Any law enforcement officer who issues a summons for a 401
465-violation of this section shall record on such summons the specific 402
466-nature of any distracted driving behavior observed by such officer. 403
467-(h) Any person who violates this section shall be fined two hundred 404
468-dollars for a first violation, three hundred seventy-five dollars for a 405
469-second violation and six hundred twenty-five dollars for a third or 406 Substitute Bill No. 7060
453+LCO No. 5001 13 of 18
454+
455+department, or (B) any of the following persons while in the 361
456+performance of their official duties and within the scope of their 362
457+employment: A peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 363
458+53a-3, a firefighter or an operator of an ambulance or authorized 364
459+emergency vehicle [, as defined in section 14-1,] or a member of the 365
460+armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 27-103, while 366
461+operating a military vehicle, or (C) the use of a hand-held radio by a 367
462+person with an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal 368
463+Communications Commission in emergency situations for emergency 369
464+purposes only, or (D) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone. 370
465+(c) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other 371
466+electronic device, including those with hands-free accessories, or a 372
467+mobile electronic device, while operating a school bus that is carrying 373
468+passengers, except that this subsection shall not apply when such 374
469+person: (1) Places an emergency call to school officials; (2) uses a hand-375
470+held mobile telephone as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision 376
471+(4) of subsection (b) of this section; (3) uses a hand-held mobile 377
472+telephone or mobile electronic device in a manner similar to a two-way 378
473+radio to allow real-time communication with a school official, an 379
474+emergency response operator, a hospital, physician's office or health 380
475+clinic, an ambulance company, a fire department or a police department; 381
476+or (4) uses a mobile electronic device with a video display, provided 382
477+such device (A) is used as a global positioning system or to provide 383
478+navigation, (B) is securely attached inside the school bus near such 384
479+person, and (C) has been approved for such use by the Department of 385
480+Motor Vehicles. 386
481+(d) No person under eighteen years of age shall use any hand-held 387
482+mobile telephone, including one with a hands-free accessory, or a 388
483+mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a public 389
484+highway, except as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of 390
485+subsection (b) of this section. 391
486+(e) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other 392
487+Raised Bill No. 7060
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474-subsequent violation. 407
475-(i) An operator of a motor vehicle who commits a moving violation, 408
476-as defined in subsection (a) of section 14-111g, while engaged in any 409
477-activity prohibited by this section shall be fined in accordance with 410
478-subsection (h) of this section, in addition to any penalty or fine imposed 411
479-for the moving violation. 412
480-(j) The state shall remit to a municipality twenty-five per cent of the 413
481-fine amount received for a violation of this section with respect to each 414
482-summons issued by such municipality. Each clerk of the Superior Court 415
483-or the Chief Court Administrator, or any other official of the Superior 416
484-Court designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on or before 417
485-the thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, certify 418
486-to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter under this 419
487-subsection to each municipality served by the office of the clerk or 420
488-official. 421
489-(k) A record of any violation of this section shall appear on the 422
490-driving history record or motor vehicle record, as defined in section 14-423
491-10, of any person who commits such violation, and the record of such 424
492-violation shall be available to any motor vehicle insurer in accordance 425
493-with the provisions of section 14-10. 426
494-(l) No person shall be subject to the prosecution for a violation of the 427
495-provisions of this section and subsection (a) of section 14-222, as 428
496-amended by this act, because of the same offense. 429
497-Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 14-283b of the general statutes is 430
498-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 431
499-1, 2025): 432
500-(d) (1) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of 433
501-this section shall have committed an infraction, except that if such 434
502-violation results in the injury of the operator or any occupant of an 435
503-emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than [two 436
504-thousand five hundred] ten thousand dollars and, if such violation 437 Substitute Bill No. 7060
491+LCO No. 5001 14 of 18
492+
493+electronic device or type, read or send text or a text message with or 393
494+from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a 394
495+commercial motor vehicle, [as defined in section 14-1,] except for the 395
496+purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an 396
497+emergency situation: An emergency response operator; a hospital; 397
498+physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire 398
499+department or a police department. 399
500+(f) Except as provided in subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this 400
501+section, no person shall engage in any activity not related to the actual 401
502+operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe 402
503+operation of such vehicle on any highway. [, as defined in section 14-1.] 403
504+(g) Any law enforcement officer who issues a summons for a 404
505+violation of this section shall record on such summons the specific 405
506+nature of any distracted driving behavior observed by such officer. 406
507+(h) Any person who violates this section shall be fined two hundred 407
508+dollars for a first violation, three hundred seventy-five dollars for a 408
509+second violation and six hundred twenty-five dollars for a third or 409
510+subsequent violation. 410
511+(i) An operator of a motor vehicle who commits a moving violation, 411
512+as defined in subsection (a) of section 14-111g, while engaged in any 412
513+activity prohibited by this section shall be fined in accordance with 413
514+subsection (h) of this section, in addition to any penalty or fine imposed 414
515+for the moving violation. 415
516+(j) The state shall remit to a municipality twenty-five per cent of the 416
517+fine amount received for a violation of this section with respect to each 417
518+summons issued by such municipality. Each clerk of the Superior Court 418
519+or the Chief Court Administrator, or any other official of the Superior 419
520+Court designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on or before 420
521+the thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, certify 421
522+to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter under this 422
523+subsection to each municipality served by the office of the clerk or 423
524+Raised Bill No. 7060
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509-results in the death of the operator or any occupant of an emergency 438
510-vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than [ten] twenty thousand 439
511-dollars. 440
512-(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (c) of this 441
513-section shall have committed an infraction. 442
514-Sec. 9. Subsection (f) of section 14-212d of the general statutes is 443
515-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 444
516-1, 2025): 445
517-(f) Upon conviction or a plea of guilty for committing the offense of 446
518-aggravated endangerment of a highway worker, a person shall be 447
519-subject to a fine of (1) not more than [five] ten thousand dollars if such 448
520-offense results in serious physical injury to a highway worker, or (2) 449
521-[ten] twenty thousand dollars if such offense results in the death of a 450
522-highway worker, in addition to any other penalty authorized by law. 451
528+LCO No. 5001 15 of 18
529+
530+official. 424
531+(k) A record of any violation of this section shall appear on the 425
532+driving history record or motor vehicle record, as defined in section 14-426
533+10, of any person who commits such violation, and the record of such 427
534+violation shall be available to any motor vehicle insurer in accordance 428
535+with the provisions of section 14-10. 429
536+(l) No person shall be subject to the prosecution for a violation of the 430
537+provisions of this section and subsection (a) of section 14-222, as 431
538+amended by this act, because of the same offense. 432
539+Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 14-283b of the general statutes is 433
540+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 434
541+1, 2025): 435
542+(d) (1) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of 436
543+this section shall have committed an infraction, except that if such 437
544+violation results in the injury of the operator or any occupant of an 438
545+emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than [two 439
546+thousand five hundred] ten thousand dollars and, if such violation 440
547+results in the death of the operator or any occupant of an emergency 441
548+vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than [ten] twenty thousand 442
549+dollars. 443
550+(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (c) of this 444
551+section shall have committed an infraction. 445
552+Sec. 9. Subsection (f) of section 14-212d of the general statutes is 446
553+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 447
554+1, 2025): 448
555+(f) Upon conviction or a plea of guilty for committing the offense of 449
556+aggravated endangerment of a highway worker, a person shall be 450
557+subject to a fine of (1) not more than [five] ten thousand dollars if such 451
558+offense results in serious physical injury to a highway worker, or (2) 452
559+Raised Bill No. 7060
560+
561+
562+
563+LCO No. 5001 16 of 18
564+
565+[ten] twenty thousand dollars if such offense results in the death of a 453
566+highway worker, in addition to any other penalty authorized by law. 454
567+Sec. 10. Section 14-298 of the general statutes is repealed and the 455
568+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 456
569+(a) There shall be within the Department of Transportation the Office 457
570+of the State Traffic Administration, which shall constitute a successor to 458
571+the State Traffic Commission, in accordance with the provisions of 459
572+sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. 460
573+(b) For the purpose of standardization and uniformity, said office 461
574+shall adopt [and cause to be printed for publication] regulations in 462
575+accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 establishing a uniform 463
576+system of traffic control signals, devices, signs and markings consistent 464
577+with the provisions of this chapter for use upon the public highways. 465
578+The Commissioner of Transportation shall make known to the General 466
579+Assembly the availability of such regulations and any requesting 467
580+member shall be sent a written copy or electronic storage media of such 468
581+regulations by said commissioner. Taking into consideration the public 469
582+safety and convenience with respect to the width and character of the 470
583+highways and roads affected, the density of traffic thereon and the 471
584+character of such traffic, said office shall also adopt regulations, in 472
585+cooperation and agreement with local traffic authorities and in 473
586+accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, governing the use of state 474
587+highways and roads on state-owned properties, and the operation of 475
588+vehicles, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles, bicycles, as 476
589+defined in section 14-286, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters 477
590+thereon. A list of limited-access highways shall be published with such 478
591+regulations and said list shall be revised and published once each year. 479
592+The Commissioner of Transportation shall make known to the General 480
593+Assembly the availability of such regulations and list and any 481
594+requesting member shall be sent a written copy or electronic storage 482
595+media of such regulations and list by the commissioner. A list of limited-483
596+access highways opened to traffic by the Commissioner of 484
597+Raised Bill No. 7060
598+
599+
600+
601+LCO No. 5001 17 of 18
602+
603+Transportation in the interim period between publications shall be 485
604+maintained in the Office of the State Traffic Administration and such 486
605+regulations shall apply to the use of such listed highways. 487
606+(c) Said office shall also [make] adopt regulations, in cooperation and 488
607+agreement with local traffic authorities, respecting the use by through 489
608+truck traffic of streets and highways within the limits of, and under the 490
609+jurisdiction of, any city, town or borough of this state for the protection 491
610+and safety of the public. If said office determines that the prohibition of 492
611+through truck traffic on any street or highway is necessary because of 493
612+an immediate and imminent threat to the public health and safety and 494
613+the local traffic authority is precluded for any reason from acting on 495
614+such prohibition, the office, if it is not otherwise precluded from so 496
615+acting, may impose such prohibition. 497
616+(d) (1) Said office may place and maintain traffic control signals, 498
617+signs, markings and other safety devices, which it deems to be in the 499
618+interests of public safety, upon such highways as come within the 500
619+jurisdiction of said office as set forth in section 14-297. 501
620+(2) On and after October 1, 2025, said office shall require each 502
621+installation and reinstallation of an edge line on a limited access 503
622+highway to be six inches wide and in accordance with the Federal 504
623+Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 505
624+for Streets and Highways, as amended from time to time. 506
625+(e) The traffic authority of any city, town or borough may place and 507
626+maintain traffic control signals, signs, markings and other safety devices 508
627+upon the highways under its jurisdiction, and all such signals, devices, 509
628+signs and markings shall conform to the regulations established by said 510
629+office in accordance with this chapter, and such traffic authority shall, 511
630+with respect to traffic control signals, conform to the provisions of 512
631+section 14-299. 513
632+Raised Bill No. 7060
633+
634+
635+
636+LCO No. 5001 18 of 18
637+
523638 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
524639 sections:
525640
526641 Section 1 from passage New section
527642 Sec. 2 from passage New section
528643 Sec. 3 October 1, 2025 New section
529644 Sec. 4 October 1, 2025 14-36(d)
530645 Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 14-37b
531646 Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 14-222
532647 Sec. 7 October 1, 2025 14-296aa
533648 Sec. 8 October 1, 2025 14-283b(d)
534649 Sec. 9 October 1, 2025 14-212d(f)
650+Sec. 10 October 1, 2025 14-298
535651
536-TRA Joint Favorable Subst.
652+Statement of Purpose:
653+To (1) designate a portion of a highway in honor of Andrew
654+DiDomenico and a bridge in honor of State Trooper First Class Aaron
655+M. Pelletier, (2) establish a work zone and roadside vehicle safety
656+awareness program, (3) make distracted driving on a limited access
657+highway a reckless driving violation, (4) increase the penalties for
658+endangering a highway worker and violating the "move over" law, and
659+(5) require the installation of six-inch-wide edge lines on limited access
660+highways.
661+
662+[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
663+that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
664+underlined.]
537665