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HB1391 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Chris Jeter
Last action
2026-01-08
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on minor injuries or enforcement procedures.

Making It Illegal to Use Phones While Driving If Someone Gets Hurt

This bill makes it a serious crime for drivers who use phones and cause someone else's serious injury while driving.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes using a telecommunications device while driving illegal if the violation causes another person's serious bodily injury.
  • Changes the law to say that breaking this rule can be punished as a Level 5 felony, which is a serious crime.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Drivers who break the rules about using phones while driving and cause someone else to get seriously hurt.

Terms To Know

Level 5 felony
A serious crime that can lead to jail time and fines.
Telecommunications device
An electronic device used for communication, like a cell phone or tablet.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the injury is minor.
  • It only applies to situations where serious bodily injury occurs.
  • The exact penalties and enforcement details are not provided in this summary.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative Jeter

  2. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.
Use of telecommunications device while driving.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles.

Use of telecommunications device while driving.

Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally violates the statute prohibiting use of a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle commits a Level 5 felony if the violation is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another person.