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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Lawmakers have passed a bill to make text messaging while driving illegal.
House Bill 290, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo, would make text messaging or e-mailing while operating a vehicle a primary offense. A first-offense violation would be a class C misdemeanor.
A driver involved in a crash while texting could be charged with a class B misdemeanor and have his or her driver's license revoked. If someone is killed in a crash where the driver had been texting, the driver could be charged with a felony.
The bill passed the Senate 26-1 and passed the House 45-29 on Thursday. It will now be sent to the governor.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
