6/4/07-A bill has died in the House that would have prohibited drivers in the state from talking on hand-held cell phones while driving.
Sponsored by Rep. Betty Nuovo, D-Middlebury, H31 would have prohibited drivers from using the devices while behind the wheel. Talking on a phone equipped with a “hands-free” accessory would still have been permitted.
The bill would have made it a secondary offense to drive while chatting – meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone.
Violators would have faced up to $100 fines. Emergency calls would have been exempted. An identical Senate bill – S20 – also died.

1/29/07-A bill in the House Judiciary Committee would prohibit drivers in the state from talking on hand-held cell phones while driving.
Drivers would be prohibited from using the devices while behind the wheel. Talking on a phone equipped with a "hands-free" accessory would still be permitted.
Sponsored by Rep. Betty Nuovo, D-Middlebury, H31 would make it a secondary offense to drive while chatting - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone.
Violators would face up to $100 fines. Emergency calls would be exempted.
For bill status, call (802) 828-2231. In Vermont, call 1-800-642-3280.
An identical Senate bill - S20 - is in the Senate Transportation Committee.