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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of an offense for certain uses of a |
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wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Alex Brown Memorial |
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Act. |
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SECTION 2. Section 545.425(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows: |
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(1-a) "Text-based communication" means a |
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communication sent from a wireless communication device for the |
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purpose of manually communicating with another person in a written |
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medium. The term does not include a text-based communication that |
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is voice-activated and displayed in a manner that allows the driver |
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to view the material on the dashboard or above the steering wheel. |
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The term includes: |
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(A) a text message; |
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(B) an instant message; and |
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(C) e-mail. |
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SECTION 3. Section 545.425, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b-1) Except as provided by Subsection (b-2), a |
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municipality, county, or other political subdivision that enforces |
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Subsection (b) [this section] shall post a sign that complies with |
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the standards described by this subsection at the entrance to each |
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school crossing zone in the municipality, county, or other |
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political subdivision. The department shall adopt standards that: |
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(1) allow for a sign required to be posted under this |
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subsection to be attached to an existing sign at a minimal cost; and |
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(2) require that a sign required to be posted under |
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this subsection inform an operator that: |
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(A) the use of a wireless communication device is |
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prohibited in the school crossing zone; and |
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(B) the operator is subject to a fine if the |
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operator uses a wireless communication device in the school |
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crossing zone. |
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(c-1) An operator may not use a wireless communication |
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device to write or send a text-based communication while operating |
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a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |