HF 3947

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/19/2018 04:55pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring driver education and driver's manual to cover
distracted driving; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016,
sections 171.0701, subdivision 1; 171.0705, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 171.0701, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Driver education requirements.

(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules
requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of instruction, beginning January 1, 2007, relating to
organ and tissue donations and the provisions of section 171.07, subdivision 5, for persons
enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and
commercial driver training schools.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver education programs
offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools, requiring
inclusion in the course of instruction, by January 1, 2009, a section on awareness and safe
interaction with commercial motor vehicle traffic. The rules must require classroom
instruction and behind-the-wheel training that includes, but is not limited to, truck stopping
distances, proper distances for following trucks, identification of truck blind spots, and
avoidance of driving in truck blind spots.

(c) By January 1, 2012, the commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver
education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training
schools, requiring inclusion in the course of instruction of a section on carbon monoxide
poisoning. The instruction must include but is not limited to (1) a description of the
characteristics of carbon monoxide, (2) a review of the risks and potential speed of death
from carbon monoxide poisoning, and (3) specific suggestions regarding vehicle idling
practices.

new text begin (d) By January 1, 2019, the commissioner must adopt rules requiring driver education
programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools
to include instruction on distracted driving. The instruction must include but is not limited
to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the laws governing distracted driving and the related penalties; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the dangers of distracted driving.
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

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 171.0705, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Distracted driving. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must include in each edition of the
driver's manual a section on distracted driving that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the laws governing distracted driving and the related penalties; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the dangers of distracted driving.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin RULEMAKING.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0701, subdivision 2, applies to section 1.
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