Starting on Friday, June 5, law enforcement will now be able to issue citations to violators of Paul Miller’s law following 12 months of issuing only warnings since the law took effect in June, 2025.
Senate Bill 37, or Paul Miller’s Law, was signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in 2024 and prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving, including during temporary delays such as traffic.
The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer in Monroe County in 2010, the result of a distracted driver.
While the use of hand-held devices is prohibited, the pa.gov website states that drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders and, if they use hands-free technology, make calls, use GPS, or listen to music.
Drivers can face a $50 fine along with court and other fees if caught in violation. Furthermore, if a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle while distracted, they may be sentenced to an additional five years in prison.