1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; increasing penalties for distracted driving violations;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.475, subdivision 2.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subd. 2.Prohibition on use; penalty. (a) No When a motor vehicle is in motion or a 
1.7 	part of traffic, the person may operate a operating the motor vehicle while is prohibited 
1.8 	from using a wireless communications device to:
1.9 	(1) compose, read, or send an electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a 
1.10 	part of traffic.; or
1.11 	(2) access the Internet.
1.12 	(b) A person who violates paragraph (a) must pay a fine of $250. A person who violates 
1.13 	paragraph (a) a second or subsequent time must pay a fine of $225, plus the amount specified 
1.14 	in the uniform fine schedule established by the Judicial Council $500. The fines under this 
1.15 	paragraph are in addition to the surcharge under section 357.021, subdivision 6.
1.16 	(c) A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes great bodily harm to another is guilty 
1.17 	of a gross misdemeanor. A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes the death of another 
1.18 	is guilty of criminal vehicular homicide under section 609.2112.

1.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2018, and applies to crimes 
1.20 	committed on or after that date.