Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the rules related to the requirements for drivers who have experienced a loss of consciousness or voluntary control, specifically focusing on easing the evidence requirements for such drivers to maintain their driving privileges.

Main Provisions

• Rule Amendment by 2026: The Commissioner of Public Safety is required to amend Minnesota Rules to allow drivers who have suffered a single non-epileptic seizure to bypass the requirement of submitting an annual physician's statement if certain conditions are met.
• Conditions for Exemption:
  • The driver experienced a single non-epileptic seizure.
  • The driver has been free of any episodes of loss of consciousness or voluntary control for five years from the incident.
  • The driver has not taken any antiseizure medication for those five years.
  • A physician declares the driver in good health with a minimal risk of recurrence.
• Extended Exemption: Another rule modification allows for a similar exemption if the driver has not experienced episodes or taken medication for ten years.
• Exclusions: The physician's review for these drivers does not apply to those who are required to have a valid medical examiner's certificate under federal regulations for physical qualifications of drivers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill represents a shift from requiring annual medical statements for all drivers with past instances of loss of consciousness to tailored exemptions based on time elapsed without incidents and a physician’s assessment. Current rules require more frequent medical verifications regardless of the time since the last seizure for drivers without this exemption.

Relevant Terms

loss of consciousness, voluntary control, non-epileptic seizure, antiseizure medication, physician's statement, Minnesota Rules, driving privileges, medical examiner's certificate.