January 25, 2012
HOUSE BILL No. 1212
_____
DIGEST OF HB 1212
(Updated January 24, 2012 1:12 pm - DI 109)
Citations Affected: IC 9-13; IC 9-19; IC 9-21.
Synopsis: Blue lights on vehicles. Defines funeral escort vehicle.
Provides that a vehicle utilized in a funeral procession or a funeral
escort vehicle may display certain flashing lights in certain colors.
Requires a funeral escort vehicle to bear certain markings. Prohibits a
funeral escort vehicle from bearing certain markings. Provides that, in
order for the vehicles in a funeral procession to have the right-of-way
at an intersection, the vehicle heading the funeral procession must
display a flashing red light. (Current law allows the vehicle to display
alternately flashing red and blue lights.) Provides that a person who
displays a red and blue lamp upon a vehicle or fails to remove a red and
blue lamp from a vehicle under certain circumstances commits a Class
C misdemeanor.
Effective: July 1, 2012.
Kirchhofer
January 9, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public
Safety.
January 25, 2012, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
January 25, 2012
Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)
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HOUSE BILL No. 1212
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
motor vehicles.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 9-13-2-69.3; (12)HB1212.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 9-13-2-69.3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 69.3. "Funeral escort
vehicle" has the meaning set forth means a vehicle driven by a
person who provides escort services for funeral processions. The
term does not include a vehicle owned and operated by a funeral
home (as defined in IC 9-21-13-0.3 IC 25-15-2-15).
SOURCE: IC 9-19-14-5.5; (12)HB1212.1.2. -->
SECTION 2. IC 9-19-14-5.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 5.5. (a) Except for a:
(1) vehicle utilized in a funeral procession;
or
(2) a funeral escort vehicle bearing markings as described in
IC 9-21-13-0.7;
a vehicle that is not described by sections 2 or 5 of this chapter may not
display a red and white lamp or a red and blue lamp.
(b) A person who:
(1)
purchases or otherwise acquires possesses a vehicle with
equipment described by sections 2 or 5 of this chapter; and
(2) is not authorized to display a red and white or red and blue
lamp upon the vehicle;
shall immediately remove the red and white or red and blue lamp from
the vehicle.
(c) A vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle used in a funeral
procession or as a funeral escort vehicle, may display only red and
white, red, or amber lights.
SOURCE: IC 9-19-14-6; (12)HB1212.1.3. -->
SECTION 3. IC 9-19-14-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 6. (a) This section does
not apply to a person who owns or operates a vehicle or combination
of vehicles that:
(1) contains parts and accessories; and
(2) is equipped;
as required under regulations of the United States Department of
Transportation.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person who violates
this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
(c) A person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person
knowingly or intentionally violates section 5.5 of this chapter.
SECTION 4. IC 9-21-7-11 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 11. (a) Except as
provided in subsection (b), a vehicle may not display flashing lights.
(b) Flashing lights may be displayed on a vehicle as follows:
(1) On an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) On a school bus.
(3) On snow-removal equipment.
(4) As a means of indicating a right or left turn.
(5) As a means of indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic
hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or
passing.
(6) On a vehicle used in a funeral procession.
SOURCE: IC 9-21-13-0.3; (12)HB1212.1.5. -->
SECTION 5. IC 9-21-13-0.3 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2012]. Sec. 0.3. As used in this chapter, "funeral escort" means a
person that provides escort services for funeral processions.
SOURCE: IC 9-21-13-0.7; (12)HB1212.1.6. -->
SECTION 6. IC 9-21-13-0.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A
NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2012]:
Sec. 0.7. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a funeral
escort vehicle must be clearly marked with the words "funeral
escort" on both the right and left sides of the vehicle in letters that
are at least five (5) inches in height.
(b) A motorcycle that is a funeral escort vehicle must be clearly
marked with the words "funeral escort" on both the right and left
sides of the vehicle in letters that are at least two (2) inches in
height.
(c) A funeral escort vehicle may not bear:
(1) markings similar to the markings used by a law
enforcement agency of the state or the federal government;
(2) words, emblems, seals, or other insignia that could cause
a reasonable person to confuse the funeral escort vehicle with
a police vehicle; or
(3) the words "sheriff", "police", "deputy", "marshal",
"agent", "patrolman", "officer", or another word that could
cause a reasonable person to confuse the operator of the
funeral escort vehicle with a law enforcement officer.
SOURCE: IC 9-21-13-1; (12)HB1212.1.7. -->
SECTION 7. IC 9-21-13-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 1. (a) A vehicle with
lighted headlights in a funeral procession has the right-of-way at an
intersection and may proceed through the intersection if the procession
is headed by a lead or funeral escort vehicle displaying alternately
flashing red and
blue white, flashing red, or flashing amber lights,
except if either of the following conditions exist:
(1) When the right-of-way is required by an authorized emergency
vehicle giving an audible signal.
(2) When the vehicles in procession are directed otherwise by a
police officer.
(b) Before assuming the right-of-way, a person who drives a vehicle
in the funeral procession must exercise due caution with regard to
crossing traffic.