as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/08/2018 05:39pm
A bill for an act
relating to public safety; increasing penalties for distracted driving violations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.475, subdivision 2.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
(a) deleted text begin Nodeleted text end new text begin When a motor vehicle is in motion or a
part of traffic, thenew text end person deleted text begin may operate adeleted text end new text begin operating thenew text end motor vehicle deleted text begin whiledeleted text end new text begin is prohibited
fromnew text end using a wireless communications device tonew text begin :
new text end
new text begin (1)new text end compose, read, or send an electronic messagedeleted text begin , when the vehicle is in motion or a
part of traffic.deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end
new text begin
(2) access the Internet.
new text end
(b)new text begin A person who violates paragraph (a) must pay a fine of $250.new text end A person who violates
paragraph (a) a second or subsequent time must pay a fine of deleted text begin $225, plus the amount specified
in the uniform fine schedule established by the Judicial Councildeleted text end new text begin $500. The fines under this
paragraph are in addition to the surcharge under section 357.021, subdivision 6new text end .
new text begin
(c) A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes great bodily harm to another is guilty
of a gross misdemeanor. A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes the death of another
is guilty of criminal vehicular homicide under section 609.2112.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective August 1, 2018, and applies to crimes
committed on or after that date.
new text end