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An Act To Strengthen Maine's Distracted-driving Penalties
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2419  is enacted to read:
§ 2419.  Distracted driving
 
1.  Distracted driving.     A person may not operate a motor vehicle while distracted. For purposes of this section, "distracted" means operating a motor vehicle while engaged in an activity not related to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle on a highway.
 
2.  Violation.     A person is guilty of distracted driving if that person operates, with criminal negligence as defined in Title 17-A, section 35, a motor vehicle while distracted.
 
3.  Penalty.     A violation of this section is a Class E crime that, notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1301, is punishable by a fine of not less than $300 for the first offense and a mandatory 30-day suspension of a driver's license for a 2nd offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense.
 
SUMMARY
The bill defines "distracted" and makes it a Class E crime to drive while distracted. The bill also imposes a fine of $300 for the first offense of driving while distracted and a suspension of a person's license for 30 days for a 2nd offense within 3 years of the first offense.