BOSTON (WHDH) - Massachusetts legislators announced proposed fines on Monday for those who are found to be in violation of a hands-free driving bill that was agreed upon last week.
The new bill will restrict the use of hand-held cellphones behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and update the existing laws regarding racial profiling by law enforcement, according to state representatives.
First-time offenders would face a fine of $100, while second-time violators would be hit with a $250 fine and be required to take a driver safety course. Third-time offenders will be slapped with a $500 fine, plus an insurance surcharge.
Hands Free Driving Bill:
100$ fine for first offense
250$ fine plus driver safety course
500$ Fine plus surcharge to insurance— Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) November 18, 2019
The bill would also permit law enforcement to collect information on age, race, gender, and the outcome of the traffic stop, among other things.
Drivers would be required to have their hones in hands-free mode and mounted on the dashboard for GPS use.
It does not apply to first responders.
Other takeaways from the hands free bill: It authorizes the collection of information on age, race and gender and outcome of traffic stop. It Does not apply to first responders. Also Phone Must be in hands free mode and mounted on dash for gps use pic.twitter.com/PnYqxGg5w0
— Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) November 18, 2019
The bill had been held up in negotiations for months as committee members debated the merits of monitoring traffic stop data and using it to track potential racial profiling.
The bill is currently being circulated among the other Senate and House conference committee members for signatures.
The legislation was filed with the House Clerks office on Monday.
It is due to be reviewed by the entirety of the House and Senate later in the week.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)