A widely circulated email claiming that Pennsylvania has passed a new law banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving is false.

The truth is that no such law has been enacted in Pennsylvania, although several bills have been introduced.

The legislation cited in the email, House Bill 1827, was introduced in September and remains in the House Transportation Committee.

In the current legislative session, several members of the Senate, both Democratic and Republican, have introduced cell phone legislation.

Sen. Connie Williams has proposed banning cell phone and PDA use by young drivers (Senate Bill 1098), while Sen. Jim Ferlo has offered legislation banning handheld cell phone use and text messaging while driving (Senate Bill 1097). Finally, Sen. Jane Clare Orie has proposed a mobile phone ban for school bus drivers (Senate Bill 677).

It is important to remember that municipalities in Pennsylvania can enact their own cell phone ordinances. Local bans, however, are questionably legal and rarely enforced. As far as can be determined, they exist in Conshohocken, West Conshohocken (Montgomery County), Lower Chichester (Delaware County), and Lebanon (Lebanon County).

To track the progress of the state cell-phone legislation, click on the links.

House Bill 1827

Senate Bill 1098

Senate Bill 1097

Senate Bill 677