SF 986

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/24/2015 03:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; enhancing penalties for careless driving resulting in
death or great bodily harm; repealing reckless driving; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2014, section 169.13, subdivisions 2, 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2014, section 169.13, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Careless driving.

new text begin (a) new text end Any person who operates or halts any vehicle upon
any street or highway carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of the rights of others, or in a
manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any property or any person, including the
driver or passengers of the vehicle, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

new text begin (b) A person who violates paragraph (a) and causes the death of, or great bodily
harm to, another is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "great bodily harm" has the meaning given in
section 609.02, subdivision 8.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Application.

(a) The provisions of this section apply, but are not limited in
application, to any person who drives any vehicle in the manner prohibited by this section:

(1) upon the ice of any lake, stream, or river, including but not limited to the ice of
any boundary water; or

(2) in a parking lot ordinarily used by or available to the public though not as a
matter of right, and a driveway connecting the parking lot with a street or highway.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when
in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator;

(2) the emergency operation of any vehicle when avoiding imminent danger; or

(3) any raceway, racing facility, or other public event sanctioned by the appropriate
governmental authority.

new text begin (c) Nothing in this section or section 609.035 or 609.04 shall limit the power of the
state to prosecute or punish a person for conduct that constitutes any other crime under
any other law of this state.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.13, subdivision 1, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective August 1, 2015, and apply to crimes committed on or
after that date.
new text end