Bill S.144, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky and Gulick, aims to reform the enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations by designating them as secondary enforcement violations. This means that law enforcement officers can only enforce these violations if they have already detained the vehicle operator for another suspected violation. The bill lists specific offenses that fall under this category, including failure to carry a registration certificate, operating without a valid driver's license, and operating a vehicle with an obstructed windshield, among others. Additionally, it stipulates that an operator cannot be penalized for these secondary violations unless they are already being penalized for a primary violation.

Furthermore, the bill imposes restrictions on law enforcement searches following a traffic stop. Officers are prohibited from requesting consent to search the vehicle or its occupants unless they have established reasonable suspicion of an independent criminal offense. Any evidence obtained in violation of these provisions would be deemed inadmissible in criminal proceedings. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.