House Gives Initial Approval to Hand-Free Cell Phone Law

Massachusetts lawmakers gave initial approval to a proposed bill that would prohibit drivers from holding a cell phone, except in emergency cases.

A second vote of Massachusetts state representatives is needed for the bill to go the Massachusetts Senate.

House Bill 3315 is sponsored by Rep. William Straus, and it would require drivers to use Bluetooth or other hands-free devices, while driving except to report emergencies.

There are 14 states, including New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York that have hands-free laws.

It has been illegal in Massachusetts since 2010 for drivers under age 18 to use their phones in their vehicles.

Texting and driving is already illegal in the Commonwealth.

Drivers caught are given a $100 ticket for the first offense, $250 for the second, then $500 for subsequent offenses.

Proposed fines for drivers using their phones, if a hand-free state law passes, range from $100 to $1,500.

One of the bills proposed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives seeks to toughen distracted driving penalties too, proposing a license suspension of 90 days and an initial fine of $250 for a first offense, $500 for the second, $750 for subsequent offenses.

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Framingham has three state representatives - Chris Walsh, Tom Sannicandro and Carmine Gentile (Precinct 3). Resident may contact them to express their view on the bill.

To contact Representative Walsh’s office, please call 617-722- 2013 or email Chris.Walsh@mahouse.gov.

To contact Representative Gentile’s office, please call 617-722-2014 or email Carmine.Gentile@mahouse.gov.

To contact Representative Sannicandro’s office, please call 617-722-2013 or email Tom.Sannicandro@mahouse.gov.