[HCRA] A follow up to my post from a few days ago

[Larry Krainson]

Follow up to my post a few days ago: ARRL Members Only Web site
The outpouring of concern statewide from the Amateur Radio Community
regarding the impact of the Distracted Driving Law has gotten the attention
of our Legislators on Beacon Hill in Boston.  Ray, KB1LRL, and Tom, K1TW,
wish to thank all the ARRL members in both Western and Eastern
Massachusetts who communicated our concerns so effectively as a community
to the Senators and Representatives and staff across the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.  This afternoon Tom Walsh, K1TW, Eastern Massachusetts
Section Manager was contacted by the General Counsel of the Joint Committee
on Transportation.  After discussing these concerns, Ray and Tom were asked
to convey the following guidance to our members in both Eastern and Western
Massachusetts sections.  This guidance is intended to assure everyone that
the new law “permits use of a “federally licensed 2–way radio” provided
that “1 hand remains on the steering wheel at all times.”.  Clearly this is
good news. We are pleased to receive this opinion in writing which states
“that a person may operate a motor vehicle while using a federally licensed
2–way radio or mobile telephone, except as provided in sections 8M, 12A and
13B, as long as 1 hand remains on the steering wheel at all times”.  This
statement above appears in the first sentence of Section 13, of the
Massachusetts General Laws as referenced in the final bill.  Below is the
full text as received today from the General Counsel of the Joint Committee
on Transportation.  It is the best clarification we have in writing at this
point that the law will not apply to a 2-way mobile radio operation.  Ray
Lajoie, KB1LRL, ARRL Section Manager Western Massachusetts Tom Walsh, K1TW
ARRL Section Manager Eastern Massachusetts