On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed an amended version of a hands-free bill, a move that aims to ban drivers from using hand-held cellphones on the road. But, there's a catch.
The bill specifically mentions that women in hijab can hold their phones using their head garment, a tactic hijabis know all too well.
Section two of the proposed bill mentions that "hands-free mode" means an "attachment, accessory, application, wireless connection, or built-in feature of a wireless communications device or vehicle that allows the person to use the device without the use of either hand except to activate or deactivate a feature or function."
It adds that this includes "the use of a scarf of hijab or other items of clothing to hold a device in a hands-free manner."
If this specific version of the bill is approved - considering House and Senate bills differ slightly - Minnesota will join 16 other states that have limited drivers' use of their cellphones when behind the wheel. According to CBS Local, the Minnesota State Capitol has been proposing a hands-free bill for 10 years, but have never gotten passed by the Senate.
This year witnessed something different. The Senate's passing of the bill "virtually guarantees" that the hands-free bill is a step closer to become Minnesota law.