Ark. Code Ann. § 6-19-120: Operation of school bus while using cellular telephone - Definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Cellular telephone" means a wireless two-way communication device that requires the operator to dial numbers manually and that: (A) Includes radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service, personal communication service, or the functional equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service or a personal communication service; and (B) Does not include a citizens band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and (2) "School bus" means every motor vehicle owned by a public school district or operated under contract for a public school district and used for the transportation of children to or from school or school-sponsored activities. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person shall not operate a school bus while using a cellular telephone. (c) This section does not apply to the use of a cellular telephone: (1) For the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: (A) An emergency system response operator or 911 public safety communications dispatcher; (B) A hospital or emergency room; (C) A physician's office or health clinic; (D) An ambulance or fire department rescue service; (E) A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department; or (F) A police department; (2) To call for assistance if there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem impairing the operation of the bus; or (3) When the school bus is parked. (d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a violation and may be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (e) Except as otherwise provided under law, a person operating a school bus may use a two-way radio communications device or any device used in a similar manner as a two-way radio communications device as a means of communicating with: (1) Central dispatch; or (2) The school transportation or its equivalent. Amended by Act 2019, No. 577,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 577,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 2003, No. 219, § 1.

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Cellular telephone" means a wireless two-way communication device that requires the operator to dial numbers manually and that: (A) Includes radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service, personal communication service, or the functional equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service or a personal communication service; and (B) Does not include a citizens band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and (2) "School bus" means every motor vehicle owned by a public school district or operated under contract for a public school district and used for the transportation of children to or from school or school-sponsored activities.

band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and (2) "School bus" means every motor vehicle owned by a public school district or operated under contract for a public school district and used for the transportation of children to or from school or school-sponsored activities.

(1) "Cellular telephone" means a wireless two-way communication device that requires the operator to dial numbers manually and that: (A) Includes radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service, personal communication service, or the functional equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service or a personal communication service; and (B) Does not include a citizens band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and

(A) Includes radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service, personal communication service, or the functional equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service or a personal communication service; and

(B) Does not include a citizens band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and

(2) "School bus" means every motor vehicle owned by a public school district or operated under contract for a public school district and used for the transportation of children to or from school or school-sponsored activities.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person shall not operate a school bus while using a cellular telephone.

(c) This section does not apply to the use of a cellular telephone: (1) For the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: (A) An emergency system response operator or 911 public safety communications dispatcher; (B) A hospital or emergency room; (C) A physician's office or health clinic; (D) An ambulance or fire department rescue service; (E) A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department; or (F) A police department; (2) To call for assistance if there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem impairing the operation of the bus; or (3) When the school bus is parked.

(1) For the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: (A) An emergency system response operator or 911 public safety communications dispatcher; (B) A hospital or emergency room; (C) A physician's office or health clinic; (D) An ambulance or fire department rescue service; (E) A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department; or (F) A police department;

(A) An emergency system response operator or 911 public safety communications dispatcher;

(B) A hospital or emergency room;

(C) A physician's office or health clinic;

(D) An ambulance or fire department rescue service;

(E) A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department; or

(F) A police department;

(2) To call for assistance if there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem impairing the operation of the bus; or

(3) When the school bus is parked.

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a violation and may be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

ict, or volunteer fire department; or

(F) A police department;

(2) To call for assistance if there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem impairing the operation of the bus; or

(3) When the school bus is parked.

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a violation and may be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(e) Except as otherwise provided under law, a person operating a school bus may use a two-way radio communications device or any device used in a similar manner as a two-way radio communications device as a means of communicating with: (1) Central dispatch; or (2) The school transportation or its equivalent.

(1) Central dispatch; or

(2) The school transportation or its equivalent.