1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; permitting limited use of laser sights by visually 
1.3 	impaired hunters; providing criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2012, section 97B.031, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.031, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 6.Laser sights; visually impaired. (a) Notwithstanding section 97B.081 
1.9 	or any other law to the contrary, the commissioner shall issue a permit to a person with 
1.10 	a visual impairment to use laser sights in accordance with this subdivision. A person 
1.11 	with a permit issued under this subdivision may use laser sights only when the person is 
1.12 	accompanied by a physically capable person available to assist the person and when:
1.13 	(1) hunting on land owned by the person;
1.14 	(2) hunting on private land the person has been given written permission to hunt on; or
1.15 	(3) participating in a special hunt permitted under section 97B.111, subdivision 2.
1.16 	(b) The visual impairment must be established by medical evidence verified in 
1.17 	writing by:
1.18 	(1) a licensed physician, or a certified nurse practitioner or certified physician 
1.19 	assistant acting under the direction of a licensed physician;
1.20 	(2) a licensed ophthalmologist; or
1.21 	(3) a licensed optometrist.
1.22 	The commissioner may request additional information from the physician, 
1.23 	ophthalmologist, or optometrist if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit.
2.1 	(c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based 
2.2 	on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician, 
2.3 	ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
2.4 	(d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting 
2.5 	under the permit.
2.6 	(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under 
2.7 	this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
2.8 	(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making 
2.9 	a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A 
2.10 	physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner 
2.11 	that a person is visually impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.