HF 590

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/14/2013 01:58pm

A bill for an act
relating to crime; prescribing criminal penalties for assaulting a transit operator;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609.2231, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Transit operators. new text end

new text begin (a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if
(1) the person assaults a transit operator, or intentionally throws or otherwise transfers
bodily fluids onto a transit operator; and (2) the transit operator is acting in the course
of the operator's duties and is operating a transit vehicle, aboard a transit vehicle, or
otherwise responsible for a transit vehicle. A person convicted under this paragraph
may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of
not more than $3,000, or both.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person is guilty of a felony if the person commits an assault or engages in
the intentional conduct described in paragraph (a) and that assault or conduct inflicts
demonstrable bodily harm on a transit operator. A person convicted under this paragraph
may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of
not more than $4,000, or both.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "transit operator" means a driver or operator
of a transit vehicle that is used to provide any of the following services:
new text end

new text begin (1) public transit, as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7, within the metropolitan
area, whether provided by the Metropolitan Council or by other providers of regional
public transit;
new text end

new text begin (2) light rail transit service within the metropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (3) special transportation service under section 473.386, whether provided by the
council or by other providers under contract with the council; or
new text end

new text begin (4) commuter rail service.
new text end

new text begin (d) For the purposes of this subdivision, "metropolitan area" means the area defined
in section 473.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to crimes committed on or after
that date.
new text end