Guinn signs bill on cell phones at school

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn has approved legislative bills that will affect how local school districts regulate cell phones on campus and use of their libraries.

Assembly Bill 138, sponsored by David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, makes school districts adopt a policy concerning the use of electronic devices such as cell phones and pagers on campus.

The measure repeals a state law that stated carrying or possessing an electronic communication device on campus is illegal.

Guinn on Tuesday also signed Assembly Bill 407, sponsored by Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City. AB407 allows a school district to open school libraries for public use.

Both AB138 and AB407 take effect July 1. In other action, Guinn signed Assembly Bill 226, which requires passengers in taxicabs to wear seat belts.

AB226, sponsored by John Oceguera, D-North Las Vegas, requires all adult passengers to wear seat belts in cabs unless the cab was not required by federal law at the time of initial sale to have seat belts, or unless the passenger has a written doctor's statement saying the person is unable to wear a seat belt for health reasons.

Violation of the law is a secondary offense, meaning if the cab driver is pulled over for another violation, the passenger may be fined $25 for not wearing a seat belt.

The bill also requires the cab driver to post a sign stating that passengers must wear seat belts. It takes effect Oct. 1.