SF 1315

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/14/2019 04:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring drivers to complete a distracted driving
instructional course prior to obtaining an instruction permit; requiring a report;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 171.05, subdivision 1b; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 171.05, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Instruction permit not issued.

new text begin (a) new text end Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the
commissioner shall not issue an instruction permit to a person under age 18 if the person
has ever been convicted of a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33, or 169A.35; a violation
of a provision of sections 169A.50 to 169A.53; a violation of section 171.177; or a
crash-related moving violation.

new text begin (b) The commissioner must not issue an instruction permit to an applicant unless the
person provides proof of completing a distracted driving instructional course, including a
signed pledge, as provided in section 171.0707.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2019, and applies to individuals
applying for an instruction permit on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [171.0707] DISTRACTED DRIVING INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Course" means the distracted driving instructional course established in this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Municipality" means a county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Provider" means the entity selected by the commissioner to provide the course.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Wireless communications device" has the meaning given in section 169.011,
subdivision 94.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Distracted driving instructional course. new text end

new text begin The purpose of the course is to
instruct drivers about the dangers of distracted driving due to using a wireless
communications device while driving. The course must last a minimum of 90 minutes and
must include classroom instruction and a victim impact panel. Upon completion of the
course, each individual must sign a pledge stating that the individual will not operate a
vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a manner that violates section
169.475 or any other traffic law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Provider duties. new text end

new text begin A provider may charge each individual a fee up to $50 for
the course. The provider must offer the course in locations around the state so that no
individual is required to drive more than 100 miles to take the course. The provider must
transmit to the commissioner proof of each individual that has completed the course and a
copy of the signed pledge required by subdivision 2. The provider is not subject to the driver
training school's requirements in sections 171.33 to 171.41.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Department duties. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the state vendor procurement process
in chapter 16C, the commissioner must select one provider to provide the course in the state.
The provider must be able to satisfy the requirements of this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must establish standards for the curriculum and manner of
instruction. The standards established pursuant to this paragraph are not rules and are not
subject to the Administrative Procedure Act in chapter 14.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15 in each odd-numbered year, the commissioner and the
provider must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of
representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over transportation. At a minimum,
the report must include the number of individuals that have completed the course, the dates
and locations where the courses were offered, and the number of citations for using a wireless
communications device issued to people who have taken the course and to people who have
not taken the course.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2019, and applies to individuals
applying for an instruction permit on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TRANSITION.
new text end

new text begin Between July 1, 2019, and January 1, 2020, any individual who is younger than 18 years
old, has an instruction permit or a provisional driver's license, and was not required to take
the distracted driving course as required by Minnesota Statutes, sections 171.05, subdivision
1b, and 171.0707, is required to take a distracted driving instructional course that meets the
requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0707, before applying for a driver's license.
The commissioner must not issue a driver's license to an applicant unless the person provides
proof of completing a distracted driving instructional course, including a signed pledge, as
provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0707.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2019, and expires
January 1, 2020.
new text end