A measure in the Mississippi Legislature that would prohibit drivers’ use of hand-held cell phones will have to wait until next year.

The cell phone bill died after the March 9 deadline for House and Senate committees to report out bills and constitutional amendments originating in their chambers.

The measure permitting only “hands-free” devices in moving vehicles remained in the House Transportation Committee at the deadline.

HB158, sponsored by Rep. Billy Broomfield, D-Moss Point, would have made the infraction a secondary offense, meaning police could ticket drivers only if they were pulled over for some other offense. Violators would be fined $150.

It would exempt emergency calls.

Only New Jersey and New York have statewide laws restricting cell phone use in vehicles. However, several states have similar measures up for consideration this year.