HB 1241 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Hands-free Driving

Summary
Hands-free Driving; Prohibits person who violates careless driving provisions from operating vehicle while using wireless communications device in handheld manner; provides additional penalties for person who violates such provisions & operates vehicle while using such device in handheld manner; authorizes first-time offenders to participate in wireless communications device driving safety program in lieu of imposition of additional penalties; provides exceptions to such prohibition; requires law enforcement officer who stops vehicle for violation of such provisions & finds that operator of vehicle is also using such device in handheld manner to inform vehicle operator of his or her right to decline search of his or her wireless communications device; prohibits such officer from taking certain actions without warrant or consent from vehicle operator; provides that user's billing records for such device or testimony of or written statements from certain authorities are admissible as evidence in crashes resulting in death or serious bodily injury for certain purposes; provides additional fine for person who commits careless driving while using such device in handheld manner; requires deposit of such fine into EMS Trust Fund of DOH.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

H 1241 Filed H 1241 c1 · 7 edits
MODERATE
The bill was revised to shift its primary focus from a general 'hands-free driving' law to a specific enhancement of 'careless driving' penalties. The new version targets drivers who are already violating careless driving laws by using a handheld device, adding a $60 fine and a point to their license for first-time offenders, while offering a safety course as an alternative to the penalty. It also expands the scope to include additional statutes related to emergency funds and driver licensing, and introduces new provisions regarding law enforcement search rights and evidence admissibility in crashes.
Scope change
The bill's scope narrowed from a broad prohibition on all handheld device use to a specific penalty enhancement for drivers who are already committing careless driving offenses while using a handheld device.
SCOPE

The bill title and legislative intent were changed to focus on careless driving provisions rather than a general hands-free ban.

REQUIREMENT

New penalties were added for careless driving violations involving handheld devices, including a $60 fine and one license point.

New sections were added requiring that billing records and testimony from certain authorities be admissible as evidence in crash investigations.

ELIGIBILITY

First-time offenders are now eligible to avoid the fine and point by completing an approved wireless communications device driving safety program.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added limiting law enforcement officers' ability to search a driver's device without a warrant or consent during a traffic stop.

FISCAL

The bill now requires fines collected from these specific violations to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'wireless communications device' was removed, likely because the referenced statute (316.306) retains the existing definition.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
8
Feb 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in State Affairs Committee
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with CS by Government Operations Subcommittee
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
PCS added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
lower
2 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors