An Act To Strengthen the Law Regarding Texting and Driving
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2119, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2011, c. 654, §7, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
3. Penalties. The following penalties apply to a violation of this section.
A. A person who violates this section commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $250 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates this section after previously having been adjudicated as violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $500 may be adjudged, and the Secretary of State shall suspend the license of that person without right to hearing. The minimum periods of license suspension are:
(1) Thirty days, if the person has 2 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period;
(2) Sixty days, if the person has 3 adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period; and
(3) Ninety days, if the person has 4 or more adjudications for a violation of this section within a 3-year period.
For the purposes of this paragraph, an adjudication has occurred within a 3-year period if the date of the new conduct is within 3 years of the date of a docket entry of adjudication of a violation of this section.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 126th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.