MADISON, Wis. -- Texting would be banned for all Wisconsin drivers under a bill that passed the state Senate on Tuesday.

The measure originally would have applied only to drivers under age 18. But the Senate voted to change it to apply to all drivers after some lawmakers objected to limiting it only to young drivers. They argued if it's unsafe for younger drivers, it's unsafe for all.

"I actually do have a problem with the idea that I'm going to say to my son, 'OK, you can't text until you're 19.' It makes absolutely no sense," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee.

"It is a safety issue. No one should be texting while they're driving -- it's as simple as that," said Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah.

The bill passed prohibits drivers from sending a text message using a cell phone, iPhone, BlackBerry or other similar device.

The penalties would be between $20 and $400, the same as disorderly driving.

The bill passed 27-5 in the Senate.

There are currently five bills in the Legislature related to cell phones and driving. The measures range from prohibiting texting for bus drivers to banning cell phones for drivers.

One bill would require a hands-free set to use a cell phone while driving.

"I think if we're reading a newspaper while we're driving we're pretty well distracted from what we're doing, and it's hardly any different if we're looking at our phone," said Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.

And phone companies are making it easier to go hands-free, offering Bluetooth for most phones.

"In terms of getting a hands-free device, we have a wide variety of options here at Verizon Wireless. We can make it affordable for everybody," said Carolyn Schamberger, regional public relations manager for Verizon Wireless.

But there are lawmakers who argue inattentive driving laws cover these issues and that it could start a slippery slope.

"Somebody will have a, 'You can't eat while you're driving' bill. 'You can't apply makeup while you're driving;' and this one would affect me, 'You can't read while you're driving.'" said Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover.

But even some cell phone users said they think some restrictions could help improve safety.

"It's important to have your eyes on the road. I think it's good for the general safety of people," said Susan Pauer, of Madison.

"I agree they need to get some laws to cover that because half the time when somebody is pushing me off the road it's because they have a cell phone," said Jean Dunham, of Oregon.

The texting ban will now go to the state Assembly for debate. The other bills are in various stages of the hearing process.

Nine other states already ban texting while driving for young drivers and 19 states have banned it for everyone, regardless of age. The first laws banning text messaging while driving passed in New Jersey and Washington in 2007.