SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 13D the following section:-

13D1/2. High schools shall annually provide a seminar on the dangers of texting and driving. All students shall be required to attend the seminar.

SECTION 2. The second paragraph of section 8 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following clause:-

(f) submitted a letter of good standing for the applicant by his or her principal or designated school official.              

SECTION 3.  Section 8M of said chapter 90 is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

A junior operator who violates the preceding paragraph shall be punished by a fine of $100 and shall have his or her license or permit suspended for up to 180 days for a first offense and shall not be eligible for license reinstatement until he or she also completes a program selected by the registrar that encourages attitudinal changes in young drivers; for a second offense by a fine of $250 and shall have his or her license or permit suspended for up to 1 year; and for a third or subsequent offense by a fine of $500 and shall have his or her license or permit suspended for 1 year.

SECTION 4. Section 17 of said chapter 90 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:

A junior operator who violates this section may be subject to a 180-day license suspension and a minimum fine of $100 for their first offense.