2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 91
BY SENATORS COLOMB, BARROW, BISHOP, BOUDREAUX, BROWN, CARTER,
GATTI, MORRELL, TARVER, THOMPSON AND W ALSWORTH
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 32:300.5(C)(1) and (2), 300.6(C)(1) and (2), 300.7(E)(1)(a) and
3 (b), and 300.8(D)(2)(a) and (b) and to enact R.S. 15:571.11(A)(4), relative to the
4 prohibition against using wireless communications devices for text messaging and
5 social networking while driving; to increase the penalties for violations of this
6 prohibition by the general public, by holders of certain special licenses, by minors,
7 and in school zones; to provide for the disposition of fines; and to provide for related
8 matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 15:571.11(A)(4) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
11 §571.11. Dispositions of fines and forfeitures
12 A.
13 * * *
14 (4) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, twenty-five
15 dollars from all fines collected pursuant to R.S. 32:300.5, 300.6, 300.7, and 300.8
16 shall be distributed to the indigent defender fund of the judicial district in
17 which the citation was issued.
18 * * *
19 Section 2. R.S. 32:300.5(C)(1) and (2), 300.6(C)(1) and (2), 300.7(E)(1)(a) and (b),
20 and 300.8(D)(2)(a) and (b) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
21 §300.5. Use of certain wireless telecommunications devices for text messaging and
22 social networking prohibited
23 * * *
24 C.(1) The first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable
25 by a fine of not more than one hundred seventy-five five hundred dollars.
ACT No. 472
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 91 ENROLLED
1 (2) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
2 five hundred one thousand dollars.
3 * * *
4 §300.6. Use of wireless telecommunications devices by certain drivers prohibited;
5 exceptions
6 * * *
7 C.(1) A first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by
8 a fine of not more than one hundred seventy-five five hundred dollars.
9 (2) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
10 five hundred one thousand dollars.
11 * * *
12 §300.7. Use of certain wireless telecommunications devices by minors while driving
13 prohibited; exceptions
14 * * *
15 E.(1)(a) A first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable
16 by a fine of not more than one hundred two hundred fifty dollars.
17 (b) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
18 two hundred fifty five hundred dollars and a suspension of driver's license for a
19 sixty-day period.
20 * * *
21 §300.8. Use of wireless telecommunications devices in school zones prohibited;
22 exceptions
23 * * *
24 D.(1) * * *
25 (2)(a) The first violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable
26 by a fine of not more than one hundred seventy-five five hundred dollars.
27 (b) Each subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
28 five hundred one thousand dollars and a suspension of driver's license for a sixty-
29 day period.
30 * * *
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1 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
2 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
3 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
4 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
5 effective on the day following such approval.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.