The bill, approved 46-0, would prohibit the practice for all drivers and come with a fine and driver's license penalties.

If the law passes, it would go into effect July 1. Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Virginia and Washington are among the states that currently ban texting while driving. Nine states ban text messaging for teen drivers.

Friends and family of 18-year-old Caleb Sorohan, who died in a car crash while texting, were on hand to witness the vote and have urged legislators to approve proposals in the House and Senate this session.

Sorohan was killed Dec. 15 after crashing head-on into a Toyota Sequoia while sending a text message on his cell phone.