II
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1450
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 28, 2017
Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To prohibit cell phone voice communications during passenger flights.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Commercial Flight Courtesy Act of 2017
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Prohibition on cell phone voice communications during passenger flights
In general
Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications
Prohibition
The Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations—
to prohibit an individual on an aircraft from engaging in voice communications using a mobile communications device during a flight of that aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate air transportation or intrastate air transportation; and
that exempt from the prohibition described in paragraph (1)—
any member of the flight crew on duty on an aircraft; and
any Federal law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity.
Definitions
In this section:
Flight
The term flight means, with respect to an aircraft, the period beginning when the aircraft takes off and ending when the aircraft lands.
Mobile communications device
In general
The term mobile communications device means any portable wireless telecommunications equipment utilized for the transmission or reception of voice data.
Limitation
The term mobile communications device does not include a phone installed on an aircraft.
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Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 41724 the following new item:
41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications.
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