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Assembly Bill 1536 of 2012

Text of New Driving Law Gives Texting a Green Light

Some bill research does not include the Governor's file because at the time we researched the bill, the sitting Governor had not released his chaptered bill file. If the Governor's file is not included with this particular research, please contact our office (1-530-666-1917 or quote@legintent.com) and we will be happy to provide this file at no charge if it is available. Please Note: Governor files did not exist prior to 1943.

With the dawning of a new year comes the date on which hundreds of new, California laws will take effect, including AB 1536, authored by Assembly member Miller. Previous legislation completely outlawed texting while driving, but with the passage of AB 1536, drivers can now utilize “voice-operated and hands-free” cell phone technology to send and receive texts behind the wheel1. A Third Reading Analysis of the bill recognizes the factor of distraction and that “adding distractions…can only increase the risk of negative outcomes,” while the purpose of the bill provides a statement allowing  “drivers to use the most modern communication systems” as long as they are following the law1. Governor Brown took a hands-on approach with this ‘hands-free’ bill and approved the legislation on July 13, 2012.

1. Senate Rules Committee, Office of Senate Floor Analyses Third Reading Analysis, Assembly Bill 1536, as amended May 3, 2012; accessed via http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.