MA Lawmakers Strike Surprise Agreement On Distracted Driving Bill

BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts moved one step closer Friday to banning the use of handheld electronic devices when a six-member conference committee reached an agreement on a bill that has seen a series of starts and stops in the state legislature for several years. State Rep. Bill Straus and state Sen. Joe Boncore released a joint statement Friday saying the proposed bill would also update existing law regarding racial profiling by law enforcement. The committee plans to release final language on the bill Monday.

While 18 other states — including every state bordering Massachusetts — have outlawed the use of handheld electronic devices by drivers, the measure has stalled in the Bay state. The joint conference committee has been working on the most recent version of the bill since June

Lawmakers have until Wednesday to finish up business for the calendar year. Both legislative branches expect the distracted driving bill will be ready for Gov. Charlie Baker's signature by the end of the week.