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 person may operate a motor vehicle while 
1.7 	using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an electronic message, 
1.8 	when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. A person who violates this paragraph must 
1.9 	pay a fine of $125. This fine is in addition to the surcharge under section 357.021, subdivision 
1.10 	6.
1.11 	(b) A person who violates paragraph (a) a second or subsequent time must pay a fine of 
1.12 	$225, plus the amount specified in the uniform fine schedule established by the Judicial 
1.13 	Council $300. This fine is in addition to the surcharge under section 357.021, subdivision 
1.14 	6.
1.15 	(c) A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes great bodily harm or death to another 
1.16 	is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

1.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017, and applies to crimes 
1.18 	committed on or after that date.