States weigh cell phone bans

A public hearing was set to be held today on a bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that would prohibit the operator of a school bus from using any wireless device when the vehicle is in motion.

State Sen. Rich Pahls of Omaha sponsored LB 697. The measure does not apply to dispatch communication devices. Drivers who break the law would be fired and charged with a class 5 misdemeanor, KETV reports.

In Massachusetts, a bill banning school bus drivers' use of electronic communication has passed the House of Representatives and awaits approval by the Senate. HB 3307, sponsored by state Rep. Pam Richardson (D-Framingham), specifies that use of wireless devices is only permissible in the case of an emergency.

Devices may be used when the driver needs to communicate that the school bus is disabled, medical attention is required for a passenger, police intervention is needed, a disabled vehicle or accident is present in the roadway, or to convey pertinent information that is needed on an immediate basis, according to the bill.