At the beginning of the year, the House had two separate bills introduced. One would have banned text messaging while driving (H5021) and the other would have banned non-hands-free mobile phone and/or text messaging (H5022). In both cases, the House Corporations Committee has “recommended measure be held for further study”. In other words, the bills are effectively dead for this legislative session and will need to be reintroduced.
Keep your eyes open out there, people can still legally drive and text for at least another year 🙁
Barry Schiller, who is much more knowledgeable in these matters than I am, added a comment to this post that just because it is held for further study, doesn’t mean it is completely dead. Furthermore, he adds that the Senate version of the bill has already passed and would encourage everyone to contact the House Corporations Committee and ask them to hear either H5021 and/or H5022. You can contact the chair of the House Corporations Committee via email at rep-kennedy@rilin.state.ri.us or phone (401) 377-8818. There is VERY LITTLE TIME left, so if you are interested in seeing this pass call or email now.