SB686Introduced in the Senate
Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic.
Introduced by David Suetterlein, District 4
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic. Clarifies that a court may order, for a first violation of texting and driving, the satisfactory completion of a driver improvement clinic in lieu of a conviction.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0518)
April 8, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 6, 2026
97
Yes
0
No
2
Absent or Not Voting
99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100678D
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Reported from Transportation (14-Y 0-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB686)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Transportation
Assigned HTRAN sub: Highway Safety and Policy
Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)
Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB686ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB686)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 518 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0518)
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