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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of a vehicle by a person under 18 years of |
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age. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sec. 545.424, Transportation Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.424. OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS |
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OF AGE. (a) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor |
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vehicle while using a wireless communications device, except in |
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case of emergency. |
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(a-1) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor |
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vehicle during the 12-month period following issuance of an |
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original Class A, B, or C driver's license to the person: |
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(1) after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the |
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operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or |
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participate in employment or a school-related activity or because |
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of a medical emergency; or |
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(2) with more than one passenger in the vehicle under |
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21 years of age who is not a family member. |
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(b) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted |
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motorcycle license or moped license may not operate a motorcycle or |
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moped while using a wireless communications device, except in case |
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of emergency. |
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(b-1) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted |
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motorcycle license or moped license, during the 12-month period |
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following the issuance of an original motorcycle license or moped |
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license to the person, may not operate a motorcycle or moped after |
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midnight and before 5 a.m. unless: |
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(1) the person is in sight of the person's parent or |
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guardian; or |
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(2) the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the |
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operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related |
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activity or because of a medical emergency. |
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(c) This section does not apply to: |
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(1) the holder of a hardship license;
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(2) a person operating a motor vehicle while |
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accompanied in the manner required by Section 521.222(d)(2) for the |
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holder of an instruction permit; or |
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(3) a person licensed by the Federal Communications |
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Commission to operate a wireless communication device or a radio |
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frequency device. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |