Kansas Health Institute | Information For Policy Makers. Health for Kansans.

TOPEKA — With the traffic-heavy Memorial Day weekend coming up, Gov. Mark Parkinson today signed into law a bill intended to improve road safety.

House Substitute for Senate Bill 300 prohibits motor vehicle operators from texting or emailing while driving except when receiving or sending emergency or weather-related messages.

The violation earns a warning until Jan. 1, when unlawful texting then warrants a $60 fine.

“This bill was a bipartisan, common-sense solution that I was glad to see the Legislature take a proactive approach on,” said Lt. Gov. Troy Findley, in a prepared statement.

The new law also makes it a violation for a person under age 18 to operate or ride a motorcycle or motorized bike without a helmet or eye protection.

It takes effect when published in the Kansas Register.