By Mr. Jones of North Reading, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3527) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others to prohibit the use of certain video devices in automobiles.  Transportation.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

Mary S. Rogeness

George N. Peterson, Jr.

John A. Lepper

Viriato Manuel deMacedo

Robert S. Hargraves

Elizabeth A. Poirier

Karyn E. Polito

Susan Williams Gifford

Richard J. Ross

Paul J. P. Loscocco

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Todd M. Smola

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to video devices in automobiles.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 16A the following section:--

Section 16B.  No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall any owner of such vehicle permit it to be operated, while a television or video screen, or other such device is in use in the frontmost seating area of the car and is plainly visible to the driver; provided that devices which are plainly designed to aid the motor vehicle operator in his driving, including but not limited to a GPS device, an “On-Star” system or other such aid, shall be exempt from this prohibition.  The executive office of transportation shall, in consultation with the registry of motor vehicles and the executive office of public safety, determine the devices to be prohibited and establish pertinent regulations regarding enforcement of this section.

SECTION 2.  Section 20 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following paragraph:--

“Any person convicted of a violation of section 16B, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50.”