Bill Text: MN HF2009 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Wireless communications devices handheld use prohibited while a vehicle is in motion or part of traffic, and fines and criminal penalties established.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-27 - Author added Paymar [HF2009 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-HF2009-Introduced.html
1.2relating to public safety; traffic regulations; prohibiting handheld use of
1.3wireless communications devices while a vehicle is in motion or part of traffic;
1.4establishing fines and criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012,
1.5section 169.475, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, 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
1.9wireless 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 2012, section 169.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.12 Subd. 3. Exceptions. This section does not apply if a wireless communications
1.13device 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
1.17emergency, 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 2012, section 169.475, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.21to read:
1.22 Subd. 4. Violations; fine. (a) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision
1.232 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 violation of subdivision
2.22 shall pay a fine of $200.
2.3(c) Any motor vehicle operator who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation
2.4of subdivision 2 shall pay a fine of $300, unless paragraph (d) applies.
2.5(d) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision 2 three or more times in a
2.6two-year period is guilty of a misdemeanor.
1.3wireless communications devices while a vehicle is in motion or part of traffic;
1.4establishing fines and criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012,
1.5section 169.475, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, 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
1.9wireless 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 2012, section 169.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.12 Subd. 3. Exceptions. This section does not apply if a wireless communications
1.13device is used:
1.14 (1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode;
1.15
1.16
1.17emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or (ii) prevent a crime about to be committed;
1.18
1.19
1.20 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.475, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.21to read:
1.22 Subd. 4. Violations; fine. (a) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision
1.232 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 violation of subdivision
2.22 shall pay a fine of $200.
2.3(c) Any motor vehicle operator who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation
2.4of subdivision 2 shall pay a fine of $300, unless paragraph (d) applies.
2.5(d) Any motor vehicle operator who violates subdivision 2 three or more times in a
2.6two-year period is guilty of a misdemeanor.
