HB611 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

K.L. Brown

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Reed Ingram

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Motor vehicles, distracted driving, use of cell phone while operating a motor vehicle prohibited, exceptions, Secs. 32-5A-353 to 32-5A-358, inclusive, added; Sec. 32-5A-350 repealed; Secs. 32-5A-351, 32-5A-352, am'd and renumbered, 32-10-8 am'd.

Summary

HB611 would expand Alabama's distracted driving rules to ban watching or recording videos or photos, holding a wireless device, and voice-based communication while driving, with various exemptions and higher penalties for repeat offenses.

What This Bill Does

It adds new prohibitions on using wireless devices for video/photo capture and voice communication while operating a motor vehicle, with several exceptions such as emergencies, parked vehicles, and hands-free navigation. It changes the driving-record penalties so first and second violations are two-point offenses, and third or subsequent violations are three-point offenses, with fines of $100, $200, and $300 respectively. It repeals an older provision, renumbers sections, allocates fines to the State General Fund, and requires agencies to report traffic-stop data, including minority-group statistics. The law would take effect about three months after the governor signs it, and it includes constitutional considerations related to local-funding rules.

Who It Affects

• Drivers in Alabama who would face new prohibitions on using wireless devices while driving and could receive points on their driving record and fines for violations.
• Law enforcement and public safety personnel who enforce the law and operate under stated enforcement rules (e.g., enforcement can be a primary offense, with limits on searches and use of violations to establish probable cause).
• Utility workers, emergency responders, and medical personnel who would have specific exemptions when performing official duties.
• Local government entities, with the bill noting an exception to local-funding requirements and directing fines to the State General Fund, affecting how funds are allocated at the state level.

Key Provisions

• Adds Sections 32-5A-353 to 32-5A-358 (CiCi and Jay's Law) to prohibit watching/viewing/recording a photo or video, using a handheld wireless device for voice communication, and physically holding a wireless device while driving, with defined exceptions.
• Defines terms such as text-based communication, wireless telecommunications device, and related concepts to clarify what is restricted.
• Prohibits operating a vehicle while using a device to write, send, read text; watch or record; or engage in voice-based communication, with enumerated exemptions in §32-5A-356.
• Enumerates exemptions: emergency use, parked vehicles, GPS navigation with restrictions, hands-free or voice-activated systems, dash cameras, utility workers performing duties, public safety personnel, ignition interlock devices, certain one-swipe/tap operations, and other specified scenarios.
• Enforcement provisions allow officers to treat violations as a primary offense, limit searches based on this violation, and prevent using the violation to establish probable cause for other offenses.
• Penalties: first and second violations are two-point entries on the driving record; third or subsequent violations are three-point entries; fines are $100, $200, and $300 respectively, with no court costs tied to prosecution.
• Fines from violations go to the State General Fund; agencies must collect and monthly report traffic-stop data, including minority-group statistics.
• Repeals the previous §32-5A-350 and renumbers related sections; the act becomes law about three months after governor approval; it includes a constitutional note related to local-funding requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles