ConnecticutSB 004842026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT CONCERNING DISTRACTED DRIVING AND THE SAFE OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE.

Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee

Signed by Governor

Summary

To (1) include the playing of a video on a mobile electronic device that is in full view to the person who is operating the vehicle as a form of distracted driving, and (2) specify that distracted driving in a highway work zone is a violation of the state's reckless driving statute.

judiciary

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Drivers gain protection against duplicate prosecutions

Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut bars prosecution under both specified driving laws for the same offense. A driver cannot face prosecution under both the distracted-driving law and the reckless-driving rule for distracted work-zone driving. This protection does not prevent prosecution under one of those laws.

Drivers face work-zone distraction penalties

Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut treats prohibited distracted driving in highway work zones as reckless driving. This applies to activities barred by the state's distracted-driving law. A first offense carries a $100 to $300 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both. A later offense carries a fine up to $600, up to one year in jail, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Judiciary Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Cara Christine Pavalock-D'Amato

    Republican • House

  • Kathy Kennedy

    Republican • House

  • Paul Cicarella

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2026

House Roll Call Vote 275 AS AMENDED

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 193

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    6/4/2026legislature
  2. Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor

    5/27/2026legislature
  3. Transmitted to the Secretary of State

    5/27/2026legislature
  4. Public Act 26-120

    5/20/2026legislature
  5. In Concurrence

    5/6/2026legislature
  6. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

    5/6/2026House
  7. House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A

    5/6/2026House
  8. House Calendar Number 543

    4/30/2026House
  9. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

    4/30/2026House
  10. Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the House

    4/29/2026House
  11. Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A

    4/29/2026Senate
  12. Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 4908

    4/29/2026Senate
  13. File Number 591

    4/13/2026legislature
  14. Senate Calendar Number 384

    4/13/2026Senate
  15. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

    4/13/2026Senate
  16. Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/13/2026legislature
  17. Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/13/26 12:00 PM

    4/6/2026legislature
  18. Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

    3/25/2026legislature
  19. Joint Favorable

    3/24/2026legislature
  20. Public Hearing 03/18

    3/13/2026legislature
  21. Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary

    3/11/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Public Act No. 26-120

    4/29/2026

  • File No. 591

    4/13/2026

  • JUD Joint Favorable

    3/24/2026

  • Raised Bill

    3/11/2026

  • Bill Analysis For File Copy 591

  • Bill Analysis for SB-484, as amended by Senate "A"

  • Fiscal Note For File Copy 591

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 4908 (See Fiscal Note Details)

  • Fiscal Note for SB-484, As Amended by Senate "A" (LCO 4908)

  • House Roll Call Vote 275 AS AMENDED

  • JUD Joint Fav. Rpt

  • JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 193

  • Senate Schedule A LCO# 4908 (D)

  • Summary for Public Act No. 26-120

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation