Bill Text: CA AB62 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 62 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Vehicles: television broadcast or video signal displays.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-08-06 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 73, Statutes of 2009. [AB62 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB62-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 62	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  73
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 6, 2009
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 5, 2009
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 22, 2009
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  APRIL 27, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Portantino

                        DECEMBER 9, 2008

   An act to amend Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 62, Portantino. Vehicles: television broadcast or video signal
displays.
    Existing law makes it unlawful for a person to drive a motor
vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or
video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or
business applications, is operating and is located in the motor
vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is
operating and visible to the driver while he or she is driving the
motor vehicle. Under existing law, that provision does not apply to
specified equipment, including, among other things, a television
receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or similar means
of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if
that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle
is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a vehicle
information display, global positioning display, mapping display, or
a visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view
forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose
of maneuvering the vehicle.
   This bill would additionally exempt from the prohibition this
equipment if the equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a
manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing
the television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle
in a safe and reasonable manner.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 27602 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   27602.  (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any
other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or
video signal that produces entertainment or business applications,
is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward
of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and the monitor,
screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor
vehicle.
   (b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when
installed in a vehicle:
   (1) A vehicle information display.
   (2) A global positioning display.
   (3) A mapping display.
   (4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's
view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the
purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.
   (5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video
screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a
television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment satisfies one
of the following requirements:
   (A) The equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor
vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a
visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
   (B) The equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a
manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the
television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in
a safe and reasonable manner.
   (6) A mobile digital terminal installed in a vehicle owned or
operated by an electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of
the Public Utilities Code, a local publicly owned electric utility,
as defined in Section 9604 of that code, a gas corporation, as
defined in Section 222 of that code, or a telephone corporation, as
defined in Section 234 of that code, if the mobile digital terminal
is fitted with an opaque covering that does not allow the driver to
view any part of the display while driving, even though the terminal
may be operating.
   (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle
providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.
   (d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal
installed in a vehicle owned or operated by an electrical
corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code,
a local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 9604
of that code, a gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of that
code, or a telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of that
code, when the vehicle is deployed in an emergency to respond to an
interruption or impending interruption of electrical, natural gas, or
telephone service.