Enacts GS 20-137.4B, making it an infraction for a person to operate a vehicle on a public street, highway, or public vehicular area while (1) holding an animal or allowing an animal to sit in the operator's lap or (2) interacting with a child or an animal in a manner that impairs or restricts the proper operation of the motor vehicle and results in operation that is careless, reckless, or heedless under the existing conditions. Exempts drivers in fully autonomous vehicles. Provides for $100 fine and court costs for violations. Prevents insurance surcharges from being assessed as a result of a violation. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025. Provides for six-month period after the act's effective date where only warning tickets are issued for violations.
DISTRACTED DRIVING/CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.
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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external) | 2025-2026 Session |
AN ACT MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO INTERACT WITH CHILDREN OR ANIMALS IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC STREET, HIGHWAY, OR PUBLIC VEHICULAR AREA.Intro. by Iler.
Status: Re-ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 14 2025)
Bill History:
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Thu, 13 Mar 2025 House: Filed(link is external)
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Mon, 17 Mar 2025 House: Passed 1st Reading(link is external)
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Wed, 26 Mar 2025 House: Reptd Fav(link is external)
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Wed, 26 Mar 2025 House: Re-ref Com On Judiciary 1(link is external)
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Thu, 10 Apr 2025 House: Withdrawn From Com(link is external)
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Mon, 14 Apr 2025 House: Withdrawn From Com(link is external)
H 394
Bill Summaries:
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Bill H 394 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 13 2025 - View Summary
View: All Summaries for Bill