Newman’s ‘hands-free’ bill passes Senate, headed to conerence committee
The full Senate approved legislation prohibiting drivers from placing phone calls outside of hands-free mode Monday, March 25. House File No. 50, known as the ‘hands-free bill’ and authored by Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, passed the Minnesota Senate with bipartisan support and awaits action by a conference committee.
The Senate version of the bill reportedly includes an amendment allowing cell phone users to position a phone inside a scarf or hijab.
“Cell phone abuse on the roadways is a growing problem. This isn’t about restricting liberties; it’s a matter of public safety. The purpose of this bill is to encourage drivers to use their phones in a hands-free manner – or put it down,” Newman said in a press release. “Drivers have a responsibility to themselves, their passengers, and the others on the road. We need to reinforce just how dangerous cell phone use while driving can be, and that’s what this bill is intended to do.”
(For the complete story, see the March 27 print edition of The Chronicle.)
