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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting using a wireless communication device while |
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operating a motor vehicle on school property. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 545.425(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an operator may |
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not use a wireless communication device while operating a motor |
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vehicle: |
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(1) in [within] a school crossing zone, as defined by |
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Section 541.302, Transportation Code, unless: |
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(A) [(1)] the vehicle is stopped; or |
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(B) [(2)] the wireless communication device is |
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used with a hands-free device; or |
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(2) on the property of a public elementary, middle, or |
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junior high school for which a local authority has designated a |
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school crossing zone, during the time a reduced speed limit is in |
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effect for the school crossing zone, unless: |
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(A) the vehicle is stopped; or |
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(B) the wireless communication device is used |
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with a hands-free device. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |