AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature has approved a bill to ban text messaging while driving, sending the proposal to Gov. Paul LePage for his signature.

After several weeks of delays, the House unanimously approved the bill today, and the Senate followed suit with final approval hours later.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bill Diamond, a Windham Democrat, says Maine would become the last New England state to ban texting if the governor signs the bill.

Two years ago, Maine lawmakers approved a distracted-driving law sponsored by Diamond that targeted a variety of activities, but Diamond said it didn’t go far enough. The new proposal makes it a $100 fine for texting, regardless of whether it causes an accident.