SECTION 1:  Section 15 of chapter 268 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official edition, is hereby amended by adding after the word “weapon” in line 3, the words “, cell phone or other handheld electronic transmission device”.

SECTION 2:  Section 31 of chapter 268 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after the word “article,” in line 4, the words “including a cell phone or any other handheld electronic transmission device,”

SECTION 3:  Chapter 268 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 31 the following new section:

Section 31B.  An inmate who is confined in any penal institution of the Commonwealth, or county jail or house of correction, including detainees held in custody while awaiting or on Trial, who is found to be in possession of a cell phone, or any other handheld electronic transmission device after initial intake into the facility and classification, whether determined to be used by the inmate during any time of detention or incarceration or not, shall be punished by a term of sentence in the State prison of not less than one year and not more than 2 and one half years.  Such sentence shall begin from and after all sentences currently outstanding and un-served at the time of said determination.