MassVoter.com← All 2017–2018 votesSenate roll call #53 · 2017–2018 session · June 29, 2017
To prevent driver distraction and motor vehicle fatalities
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What they voted on
Add a proposed change (amendment) to the bill
Official wording: S.2092, Question on adoption of the amendment #17 (offered by Tarr)
Official amendment title: Presumed Violation (amendment #17, filed by Tarr, Bruce E.) · amendments on malegislature.gov
Who filed S.2092
Sponsor Senate Committee on Rules
Committees often rewrite bills. The legislators who filed the original versions are listed on malegislature.gov.
Amendment rejected
Every member's vote
Voted yes (8)
- Viriato M. deMacedo Plymouth and Barnstable · Republican
- James B. Eldridge Middlesex and Worcester · Democrat
- Ryan C. Fattman Worcester and Norfolk · Republican
- Patricia D. Jehlen Second Middlesex · Democrat
- Patrick M. O'Connor Plymouth and Norfolk · Republican
- Richard J. Ross Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex · Republican
- Bruce E. Tarr First Essex and Middlesex · Republican
- Walter F. Timilty Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth · Democrat
Voted no (30)
- Michael J. Barrett Third Middlesex · Democrat
- Joseph A. Boncore First Suffolk and Middlesex · Democrat
- Michael D. Brady Second Plymouth and Bristol · Democrat
- William N. Brownsberger Second Suffolk and Middlesex · Democrat
- Harriette L. Chandler First Worcester · Democrat
- Sonia Chang-Diaz Second Suffolk · Democrat
- Cynthia Stone Creem First Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
- Julian Cyr Cape and Islands · Democrat
- Sal N. DiDomenico Middlesex and Suffolk · Democrat
- Eileen M. Donoghue First Middlesex · Democrat
- Jennifer L. Flanagan Worcester and Middlesex · Democrat
- Linda Dorcena Forry First Suffolk · Democrat
- Anne M. Gobi Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex · Democrat
- Adam G. Hinds Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden · Democrat
- Donald F. Humason, Jr. Second Hampden and Hampshire · Republican
- Kathleen O'Connor Ives First Essex · Democrat
- John F. Keenan Norfolk and Plymouth · Democrat
- Barbara A. L'Italien Second Essex and Middlesex · Democrat
- Eric P. Lesser First Hampden and Hampshire · Democrat
- Jason M. Lewis Fifth Middlesex · Democrat
- Joan B. Lovely Second Essex · Democrat
- Thomas M. McGee Third Essex · Democrat
- Mark C. Montigny Second Bristol and Plymouth · Democrat
- Michael O. Moore Second Worcester · Democrat
- Marc R. Pacheco First Plymouth and Bristol · Democrat
- Michael J. Rodrigues First Bristol and Plymouth · Democrat
- Stanley C. Rosenberg Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester · Democrat
- Michael F. Rush Norfolk and Suffolk · Democrat
- Karen E. Spilka Second Middlesex and Norfolk · Democrat
- James T. Welch Hampden · Democrat
What it means
This bill bars drivers from using a phone or other mobile electronic device unless it is in hands-free mode; drivers may not hold or touch the device except for a single tap or swipe to turn hands-free on or off. It also bars texting, reading messages, social media, camera or video calls, and typing into a GPS while driving, and a driver holding a device near the head is presumed to be breaking the law. Fines are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for a third or later, and a third offense counts against the driver's insurance. It sets license suspensions for junior operators who use devices (60 days, then 180 days, then 1 year) and allows an emergency-call defense.
Source: official text and history of S.2092 on malegislature.gov. This describes the bill text posted there; amendments may have changed the version that was voted on.
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Source: S.2092 on malegislature.gov · official roll call. MassVoter never grades or scores legislators. How to read this