Legislation banning the handheld use of cellphones while driving is heading to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk and local advocates are celebrating the milestone.

“Today, I’m pleased and thankful,” said Kelsey Castenson Wolfe, whose father Dave Castenson and grandmother Velma Castenson, of Dayton, were killed in 2015 by a driver who was texting and driving. “My hope and prayer with this passing is that people will see the true dangers of distracted driving while encouraging better choices behind the wheel. No distraction is worth an injury or life lost.”

The Iowa House passed Senate File 22 on a 84-11 vote Wednesday, with five members absent. The legislation is an expansion of Iowa’s current law banning texting while driving to cover any handheld use of an electronic device. Drivers can still use a device in hands-free or voice-activated modes under the legislation.

“I am thrilled this bill finally passed the House floor,” said Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, who repeatedly introduced a hands-free bill before steering the measure over the finish line in this year’s legislative session.

“I am thankful to everyone that has worked on this bill over the years, but especially thankful for the families who have lost family members in distracted driving accidents that lobbied tirelessly for this legislation to pass,” she said. “It’s painful to tell those stories over and over, but very moving.”

“We are so ecstatic to hear and see that the hands free bill has passed,” added Kristi Castenson, who has advocated for the measure for nine years since losing her husband and mother-in-law to a distracted driver. “I am struggling to find the exact words because so many are appropriate for this joyous time. We are so grateful for all the advocating and support to see this bill make it to the governor’s desk to be signed. This will help make our roads safer in Iowa.”

If signed into law, the bill would be enacted July 1. Law enforcement would give drivers using devices a warning. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, violations of the law would result in a fine of $100. If an incident in which a driver was on their device results in injury that fine would increase to $500. If the incident caused death, the fine would be $1,000.

The measure now heads to Reynolds, who is expected to sign it into law.