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State Representative Tony Cornish
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4240
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
NEW PUBLIC SAFETY PROVISIONS TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 1
ST. PAUL – State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) announces that several bills approved by the Minnesota Legislature this spring will become law on August 1.
Cornish, who is the police chief in Lake Crystal, said there are two new public safety provisions that he helped craft that will soon become state law.
The first specifies that a citizen cannot touch gear that belongs to a peace officer. The law clarifies that it is illegal to take from a police officer any defensive device issued for their protection, including a firearm, tear gas, Taser or baton. Violation is a felony, with a possible five-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.
“Very simply, if some unruly suspect tries to disarm a police officer, they could be facing felony charges and prison time,” Cornish said.
Rep. Cornish also chief-authored a bill that requires drivers to have a doctor’s prescription allowing them to have their car windows tinted. Current law states, in part, that a windshield cannot be tinted, nor can material that has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance be used on other windows.
“This provision recognizes that tinted windows can be allowed only for valid medical conditions, and that prescription must state the minimum percentage that light transmittance may be reduced in order to meet the person’s medical condition,” Cornish said.
“In general, heavily tinted windows present a significant safety issue for law enforcement as they approach a vehicle, particularly at night,” Cornish continued. “The darkened windows make it impossible to see what the suspect is doing as the officer approaches the person’s car, which obviously creates significant risk.”
Cornish also noted that another new law prohibits text messaging when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic. This statute is classified as a primary offense, meaning police officers don't need another reason for stopping motorists before charging them with a violation.
For more information on these and other new laws taking effect on August 1, visit this website: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/newlaws2008-0.asp
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