HF 2211

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/07/2017 12:58pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing certain requirements governing Metro
Mobility; governing training, driver licensing, and personal cellular phone use;
requiring a review of wheelchair securement; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016,
section 473.386, by adding subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.386, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Operating standards; safety training program. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must establish
a safety training program for operators of special transportation service under this section.
At a minimum, the training program must cover policies and procedures, including but not
limited to wheelchair securement, lift operation safety, driving best practices, and mandatory
incident reporting, that ensure the safety of special transportation service users.
new text end

new text begin (b) The safety program must include a refresher course. The refresher course must be
completed at least once every three years from the most recent date a training program or
previous refresher course was completed.
new text end

new text begin (c) A person must not operate a vehicle under this section until after successful completion
of the training program or refresher course, as applicable.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin Paragraphs (a) and (b) are effective the day
following final enactment. Paragraph (c) is effective August 1, 2018. This section applies
in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.386, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6b. new text end

new text begin Operating standards; driver's license. new text end

new text begin In order to operate a vehicle under
this section, a person must possess a valid class A, B, or C driver's license issued under
chapter 171.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018, and
applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.386, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Personal cellular phone use prohibition. new text end

new text begin A person is prohibited from operating
a vehicle under this section while communicating over or otherwise operating a cellular
phone, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 15, for personal reasons when the vehicle
is in motion or a part of traffic. This subdivision applies whether the cellular phone is used
in a handheld or hands-free manner.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017, and
applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT REVIEW.
new text end

new text begin (a) By December 1, 2017, the commissioner of public safety must conduct a review of
wheelchair securement equipment on all vehicles operated under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.386. Vehicles inspected within three months of the date of enactment of this section
do not need to be inspected under this section. At a minimum, the review must (1) identify
compliance with the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, sections 299A.11 to 299A.18;
and (2) analyze the necessity and feasibility of adding additional securement devices.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 299A.11 to 299A.18, and any
administrative rules adopted under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.18, the commissioner
may order the use of additional wheelchair securement devices after the review under this
section is completed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end