This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes related to pedestrian traffic laws, specifically focusing on the authority of peace officers to issue citations to pedestrians. Key changes include the insertion of language that prohibits officers from stopping, detaining, or issuing citations to pedestrians for certain violations unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include situations where the officer is already stopping the pedestrian for an unrelated violation or if a vehicle is approaching in a manner that poses a collision hazard. This new provision aims to protect pedestrians from being penalized under circumstances where their safety is not compromised.

Additionally, the bill updates the language in existing statutes to replace the word "shall" with "must," reinforcing the obligations of both pedestrians and drivers in various traffic scenarios. The amendments also clarify the rights of pedestrians at traffic signals and crosswalks, ensuring that they are afforded the right-of-way when appropriate. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to violations committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 169.06, 169.21