Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB359: Revise traffic laws related to distracted driving
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting distracted driving relating to mobile devices; requiring the use of hands-free devices while operating a motor vehicle; prohibiting the use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing penalties; providing definitions; and amending section 61-11-203, mca.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROHIBITING DISTRACTED DRIVING RELATING TO MOBILE DEVICES; REQUIRING THE USE OF HANDS-FREE DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE; PROHIBITING THE USE OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS; PROVIDING PENALTIES; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMENDING SECTION 61-11-203, MCA." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Distracted driving -- hands-free device. (1) Unless a motor vehicle is stopped, standing, or parked, a person may not operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway if the person does any of the following: (a) physically holds or supports with any part of the person's body either of the following: (i) a portable wireless communication device, except that a person may use a portable wireless communication device with an earpiece, a headphone device, or a device worn on a wrist to conduct a voicebased communication if the wrist device is operated without the use of hands; or (ii) a stand-alone electronic device; (b) writes, sends, watches, or reads any text-based or video-based communication, including a text message, instant message, email, video, or any internet data, on a portable wireless communication device or a stand-alone electronic device; (c) watches a video or movie on a portable wireless communication device or a stand-alone electronic device, unless …
Sponsors
- Novak, Sara (D, 36) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Process
- : (H) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading
- : (H) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading
- : (H) Tabled in Committee
- : (H) Hearing
- : (H) 1st Reading
- : (H) Referred to Committee
- : (S) Fiscal Note Printed
- : (S) Transmitted to House
- : (S) 3rd Reading
Votes
- Take from JUH to Second Reading - DeMarois (April 17, 2025): 51 yea, 47 nay, passed
- Take from JUH to second reading (April 10, 2025): 54 yea, 45 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 34 yea, 16 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 1, 2025): 33 yea, 17 nay, passed
Subjects: Safety, Transportation, Insurance
Common questions
- What is SB359?
- SB359 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise traffic laws related to distracted driving.
- What does SB359 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act prohibiting distracted driving relating to mobile devices; requiring the use of hands-free devices while operating a motor vehicle; prohibiting the use of portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing penalties; providing definitions; and amending section 61-11-203, mca.".
- What is the status of SB359?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB359?
- Novak, Sara (D, 36).
- Where is the official record for SB359?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3221
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.