1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; traffic regulations; prohibiting handheld use of 
1.3 	wireless communications devices while a vehicle is in motion or part of traffic; 
1.4 	establishing fines and criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, 
1.5 	section 169.475, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 2.Prohibition on use. No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a 
1.9 	wireless communications device to (i) compose, read, or send an electronic message, or 
1.10 	(ii) make a cellular phone call, when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.

1.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.12 		Subd. 3.Exceptions. This section does not apply if a wireless communications 
1.13 	device is used:
1.14 	(1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode;
1.15 	~~(2) for making a cellular phone call;~~
1.16 	~~(3)~~ (2) for obtaining emergency assistance to (i) report a traffic accident, medical 
1.17 	emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or (ii) prevent a crime about to be committed;
1.18 	~~(4)~~ (3) in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in immediate danger; or
1.19 	~~(5)~~ (4) in an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of official duties.

1.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.475, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.21 	to read:
1.22 		Subd. 4.Violations; fine. (a) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision 
1.23 	2 is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and must pay a fine of $100.
2.1 	(b) Any motor vehicle operator who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation 
2.2 	of subdivision 2 shall pay a fine of $300, unless paragraph (c) applies.
2.3 	(c) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision 2 three or more times in a 
2.4 	two-year period is guilty of a misdemeanor.

2.5 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.6 	Sections 1 to 3 are effective August 1, 2015, and apply to violations committed 
2.7 	on or after that date.