75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
Enrolled
House Bill 2377
Sponsored by Representatives TOMEI, ESQUIVEL; Senators BURDICK,
DINGFELDER, MORRISETTE (Presession filed.)
CHAPTER ................
AN ACT
Relating to use of mobile communication device while driving;
amending ORS 811.507.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 811.507 is amended to read:
811.507. { + (1) As used in this section:
(a) 'Hands-free accessory' means an attachment or built-in
feature for or an addition to a mobile communication device,
whether or not permanently installed in a motor vehicle, that
when used allows a person to maintain both hands on the steering
wheel.
(b) 'Mobile communication device' means a text messaging device
or a wireless, two-way communication device designed to receive
and transmit voice or text communication. + }
{ - (1) - } { + (2) + } A person { - under 18 years of
age - } commits the offense of operating a motor vehicle while
using a mobile communication device if the person, while
operating a motor vehicle on a highway, uses a mobile
communication device { + . + } { - and the person holds: - }
{ - (a) A provisional driver license issued under ORS
807.065; - }
{ - (b) A special student driver permit issued under ORS
807.230; or - }
{ - (c) An instruction driver permit issued under ORS
807.280. - }
{ - (2) For purposes of this section, 'mobile communication
device' means a text messaging device or a wireless, two-way
communication device designed to receive and transmit voice or
text communication. - }
(3) This section does not apply:
(a) To a person who is summoning medical or other emergency
help if no other person in the vehicle is capable of summoning
help; { - or - }
(b) To a person using a mobile communication device for the
purpose of farming or agricultural operations { - . - } { + ;
(c) To a person operating an ambulance or emergency vehicle;
(d) To a person 18 years of age or older who is using a
hands-free accessory;
(e) To a person operating a motor vehicle while providing
public safety services or emergency services as a volunteer;
Enrolled House Bill 2377 (HB 2377-B) Page 1
(f) To a person operating a motor vehicle while acting in the
scope of the person's employment as a public safety officer, as
defined in ORS 348.270;
(g) To a person operating a motor vehicle in the scope of the
person's employment if operation of the motor vehicle is
necessary for the person's job;
(h) To a person activating or deactivating the mobile
communication device or a function of the device;
(i) To a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator
license issued or any other license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission and is operating an amateur radio;
(j) To a person who operates a two-way radio device that
transmits radio communication transmitted by a station operating
on an authorized frequency within the citizens' or family radio
service bands in accordance with rules of the Federal
Communications Commission; or
(k) To a person using a function of the mobile communication
device that allows for only one-way voice communication while the
person is:
(A) Operating a motor vehicle in the scope of the person's
employment;
(B) Providing transit services to persons with disabilities or
to senior citizens; or
(C) Participating in public safety or emergency service
activities. + }
{ - (4) Notwithstanding ORS 810.410, a police officer may
enforce this provision only as a secondary action when a driver
of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected traffic
violation or some other offense. - }
{ - (5) - } { + (4) + } The offense described in this
section, operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile
communication device, is a Class D traffic violation.
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Passed by House April 28, 2009
Repassed by House June 24, 2009
...........................................................
Chief Clerk of House
...........................................................
Speaker of House
Passed by Senate June 23, 2009
...........................................................
President of Senate
Enrolled House Bill 2377 (HB 2377-B) Page 2
Received by Governor:
......M.,............., 2009
Approved:
......M.,............., 2009
...........................................................
Governor
Filed in Office of Secretary of State:
......M.,............., 2009
...........................................................
Secretary of State
Enrolled House Bill 2377 (HB 2377-B) Page 3