HOUSE BILL No. 5053

 

July 13, 2005, Introduced by Rep. Stewart and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

 

     A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

 

"Michigan vehicle code,"

 

(MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 677b.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 677b. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a

 

person shall not operate a motor vehicle on a public highway while

 

using any type of handheld cellular or other handheld mobile

 

telecommunication device.

 

     (2) A person may use a handheld telecommunication device while

 

operating a motor vehicle on a public highway under any of the

 

following circumstances:

 

     (a) By means of a hands-free feature or function.

 

     (b) If the motor vehicle is not in motion and the motor is not

 

engaged.

 


     (c) In an immediate health or safety emergency to obtain help

 

or notify authorities.

 

     (3) An operator of a motor vehicle creates a rebuttable

 

presumption that the operator is using a telecommunication device

 

by holding it near his or her ear. The presumption is rebuttable by

 

evidence tending to show that the operator was not operating the

 

telecommunication device.