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Senate committee advances bill easing medical-review schedule for drivers with past loss of consciousness
Summary
A Minnesota Senate committee approved an amendment to Senate File 43 to create two new exemptions from routine medical reviews for drivers who had past loss-of-consciousness episodes and meet defined time-off-medication and physician-release criteria; the bill moves to the State Government Committee.
Senator Mary Rasmussen moved forward changes to driver medical-review rules under Senate File 43, a bill that would add two narrower exemptions allowing some people with past loss-of-consciousness episodes to avoid routine, frequent physician reevaluations to retain a driver’s license.
The proposal matters because current Minnesota law and rule require an individual who has had an episode involving loss of consciousness (for example, a seizure) to be examined by a physician and to submit certification at least every year, with a special existing exemption that reduces that interval to every four years after four years without episodes. The bill, as amended, would add two additional exemptions based on time since the last episode, time off antiseizure medication and a physician’s written statement that no further review is needed.
Under the amendment outlined by Senator Rasmussen, the first new exemption would apply to an individual who experienced a single non‑epileptic seizure or similar isolated event if the person has been free of episodes for five years, has not taken antiseizure medication for five years and the person’s physician indicates no further review is necessary. The second exemption would apply to an individual who has had more than one episode but has been free of episodes for ten years, has not taken antiseizure medication for ten years and whose physician states no further review is necessary. Rasmussen said the language follows guidance obtained from DVS, MnDOT and applicable federal guidance.
Jonathan Lemke, who testified in support of the bill, described losing a commercial driving career after a 1999 diagnosis of complex partial seizures and said he has been seizure‑free since May 2003 and off antiseizure medication since October 2009. “I don’t understand how requiring me every 4 years to have a neurologist fill out a form for a medical condition that I do not have and they are not treating me for helps keep the public driving safer,” Lemke told the committee, adding that the recurring visits impose time and out‑of‑pocket costs and tie up specialist time.
Committee members asked no substantive follow‑up questions during the recorded discussion. Senator Carlson moved the bill (and the author’s A2 amendment) to the State Government Committee; the motion carried by voice vote. The committee record shows the bill advanced as amended and will be scheduled for consideration in the State Government Committee.
The discussion cited guidance from DVS and MnDOT and referenced existing Minnesota law and rule governing medical review for drivers; no specific statutory citation was provided in committee testimony.
Votes at a glance: Senate File 43 (as amended by the A2 author’s amendment) — motion to move to State Government Committee; mover: Senator Carlson; outcome: approved (motion carries as amended).
