AN ACT relating to motor vehicle insurance.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. KRS 186A.040 is amended to read as follows:

  1. The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall provide and receive information on the insurance status of vehicles registered in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The department shall provide appropriate insurance information to the Department of Information Systems for inclusion in the AVIS database.

  2. Upon notification to the Department of Vehicle Regulation from an insurance company of cancellation or non-renewal of a policy pursuant to KRS 304.39-085, the department shall immediately make a determination as to the notification of [notify] the insured. Notification to the insured shall state that the insured's policy is no longer valid and that the insured shall have thirty (30) days to show proof of insurance to the [department or the] county clerk. The department shall further inform the insured that if evidence of insurance is not received within thirty (30) days the department shall revoke the registration of the motor vehicle until:

  1. The person presents proof of insurance to the [department or] county clerk and pays the reinstatement fee required by KRS 186.180;

  2. The person presents proof in the form of an affidavit stating, under penalty of perjury as set forth in KRS 523.030, that the failure to maintain motor vehicle insurance on the vehicle specified in the department's notification is the result of the inoperable condition of the motor vehicle;

  3. The person presents proof in the form of an affidavit stating, under penalty of perjury as set forth in KRS 523.030, that the failure to maintain motor vehicle insurance on the vehicle specified in the department's notification is the result of the seasonal nature of the vehicle. The affidavit shall explain that when the vehicle is out of dormancy and when the seasonal use of the vehicle is resumed, the proper security will be obtained; or

  4. The person presents proof in the form of an affidavit stating, under penalty of perjury as set forth in KRS 523.030, that he or she requires a registered motor vehicle in order to carry out his or her employment and that the motor vehicle that he or she drives during the course of his or her employment meets the security requirement of subtitle 39 of KRS Chapter 304. The person shall also declare in the affidavit that he or she will operate a motor vehicle only in the course of his or her employment. If a person has his or her motor vehicle registration revoked in accordance with this subsection three (3) times within any twelve (12) month period, the revocations shall constitute a violation of KRS 304.39-080. The department shall notify the county attorney to begin prosecution for violation of subtitle 39 of KRS Chapter 304.

  1. The Department of Vehicle Regulation shall be responsible for notification to the appropriate county attorney that a motor vehicle is not properly insured, if the insured does not respond to notification set out by subsection (2) of this section. The notice that the department gives to the county attorney in accordance with subsection (2) of this section shall include a certified copy of the person's driving record which shall include:

  1. The notice that the department received from an insurance company that a person's motor vehicle insurance policy has been canceled or has not been renewed; and

  2. A dated notice that the department sent to the person requiring the person to present proof of insurance to the [department or the] county clerk.

  1. Upon notification by the department, a county attorney shall immediately begin prosecution of the person who had his or her motor vehicle registration revoked three (3) times within any twelve (12) month period in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.

  2. The certified copies sent by the department described in subsection (3) of this section, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of KRS 304.39-080.

  3. If the insured provides proof of insurance to the [department or the] clerk within the thirty (30) day notification period, the department shall ensure action is taken to denote a valid insurance policy is in force.

Section 2. KRS 189.285 is amended to read as follows:

  1. A person shall not operate a motorcycle on a highway:

  1. Except when that person is in possession of a valid motorcycle operator's license; and

  2. Unless that person uses an approved eye-protective device, in the manner prescribed by the secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, at all times such vehicle is in motion; and

  3. Unless the motorcycle is equipped with a rear-view mirror.

  1. A person shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle:

  1. Except on a seat permanently attached to that vehicle and specifically designed to carry the operator or passenger in a safe manner; and

  2. Except when using a footrest permanently attached to that vehicle and specifically designed to carry that person in a safe manner.

  1. The following persons shall be required to wear protective headgear, in the manner prescribed by the secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, at all times the motorcycles they are riding are in motion on a public highway:

  1. A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is operating a motorcycle or who is a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attachment;

  2. A person who possesses a motorcycle instruction permit and who is operating a motorcycle; and

  3. A person who has held a valid motorcycle operator's license, or combination motor vehicle-motorcycle operator's license, for less than one (1) year and who is operating a motorcycle [; and

  4. Any person who does not provide proof of health insurance to the county clerk when registering a motorcycle in accordance with KRS 186.865].

  1. A motorcycle operator authorized to drive a motorcycle on an instruction permit shall not be authorized to carry passengers.

  2. The secretary of the Transportation Cabinet shall by regulation fix minimum standards for approved protective headgear and for approved eye-protective devices, and prescribe the manner in which they shall be used. The secretary shall maintain and cause to be published a list of approved protective headgear and of approved eye-protective devices. The secretary may prescribe by regulation minimum standards for other protective devices and require the use of those devices.

  3. As used in this chapter and KRS Chapter 186, "motorcycle" means any motor driven vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding tractors and vehicles on which the operator and passengers ride in an enclosed cab and excluding a moped as defined in this section.

  4. "Moped" means either a motorized bicycle whose frame design may include one (1) or more horizontal crossbars supporting a fuel tank so long as it also has pedals, or a motorized bicycle with a step-through type frame which may or may not have pedals rated no more than two (2) brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.

Section 3. KRS 189.990 is amended to read as follows:

  1. Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.020 to 189.040, subsections (1), (2), and (5) of KRS 189.050, KRS 189.060 to 189.080, subsections (1) to (3) of KRS 189.090, KRS 189.100, 189.110, 189.130 to 189.160, subsections (2) to (4) of KRS 189.190, KRS 189.200, Section 2 of this Act, 189.290, 189.300 to 189.360, KRS 189.380, KRS 189.400 to 189.430, 189.450 to 189.480, subsection (1) of KRS 189.520, KRS 189.540, KRS 189.570 to 189.630, except subsection (1) of KRS 189.580, KRS 189.345, subsection (4) of KRS 189.456, and 189.960 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense. Any person who violates subsection (1) of KRS 189.580 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both. Any person who violates paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of KRS 189.390 shall be fined not less than eleven dollars ($11) nor more than thirty dollars ($30). Neither court costs nor fees shall be taxed against any person violating paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of KRS 189.390.

  2.  

    1. Any person who violates the weight provisions of KRS 189.212, 189.221, 189.222, 189.226, 189.230, 189.270, or 189.271 shall be fined two cents ($0.02) per pound for each pound of excess load when the excess is two thousand (2,000) pounds or less, three cents ($0.03) per pound when the excess exceeds two thousand (2,000) pounds and is three thousand (3,000) pounds or less, five cents ($0.05) per pound when the excess exceeds three thousand (3,000) pounds and is four thousand (4,000) pounds or less, seven cents ($0.07) per pound when the excess exceeds four thousand (4,000) pounds and is five thousand (5,000) pounds or less, and nine cents ($0.09) per pound when the excess exceeds five thousand (5,000) pounds, but in no case shall the fine be less than sixty dollars ($60).

    2. Any person who violates any provision of subsections (3) and (4) of KRS 189.050, subsection (4) of KRS 189.090, KRS 189.221 to 189.230, 189.270, 189.280, 189.490, or the dimension provisions of KRS 189.212, for which another penalty is not specifically provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).

    3. Nothing in this subsection or in KRS 189.221 to 189.228 shall be deemed to prejudice or affect the authority of the Department of Vehicle Regulation to suspend or revoke certificates of common carriers, permits of contract carriers, or drivers' or chauffeurs' licenses, for any violation of KRS 189.221 to 189.228 or any other act applicable to motor vehicles, as provided by law.

  3.  

    1. Any person who violates subsection (1) of KRS 189.190 shall be fined not more than fifteen dollars ($15).

    2. Any person who violates subsection (5) of KRS 189.190 shall be fined not less than thirty-five dollars ($35) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200).

  4.  

    1. Any person who violates subsection (1) of KRS 189.210 shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).

    2. Any peace officer who fails, when properly informed, to enforce KRS 189.210 shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).

    3. All fines collected under this subsection, after payment of commissions to officers entitled thereto, shall go to the county road fund if the offense is committed in the county, or to the city street fund if committed in the city.

  5. Any person who violates KRS 189.370 shall for the first offense be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) or imprisoned not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days, or both. For each subsequent offense occurring within three (3) years, the person shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars ($300) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) months, or both. The minimum fine for this violation shall not be subject to suspension. A minimum of six (6) points shall be assessed against the driving record of any person convicted.

  6. Any person who violates KRS 189.500 shall be fined not more than fifteen dollars ($15) in excess of the cost of the repair of the road.

  7. Any person who violates KRS 189.510 or KRS 189.515 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than fifty dollars ($50).

  8. Any peace officer who violates subsection (2) of KRS 189.520 shall be fined not less than thirty-five dollars ($35) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).

  9. Any person who violates KRS 189.530 shall be fined not less than thirty-five dollars ($35) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), or imprisoned not less than thirty (30) days nor more than twelve (12) months, or both.

  10. Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.550 shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

  11. Any person who violates subsection (2) of KRS 189.560 shall be fined not less than thirty dollars ($30) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

  12. The fines imposed by paragraph (a) of subsection (3) and subsections (6) and (7) of this section shall, in the case of a public highway, be paid into the county road fund, and, in the case of a privately owned road or bridge, be paid to the owner. These fines shall not bar an action for damages for breach of contract.

  13. Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.120 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

  14. Any person who violates any provision of KRS 189.575 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25).

  15. Any person who violates subsection (2) of KRS 189.231 shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

  16. Any person who violates restrictions or regulations established by the secretary of transportation pursuant to subsection (3) of KRS 189.231 shall, upon first offense, be fined one hundred dollars ($100) and, upon subsequent convictions, be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned for thirty (30) days, or both.

  17.  

    1. Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.565 shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

    2. In addition to the penalties prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection, in case of violation by any person in whose name the vehicle used in the transportation of inflammable liquids or explosives is licensed, the person shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.

  18. Any person who abandons a vehicle upon the right-of-way of a state highway for three (3) consecutive days shall be fined not less than thirty-five dollars ($35) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), or imprisoned for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days.

  19. Every person violating KRS 189.393 shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, unless the offense is being committed by a defendant fleeing the commission of a felony offense which the defendant was also charged with violating and was subsequently convicted of that felony, in which case it is a Class A misdemeanor.

  20. Any law enforcement agency which fails or refuses to forward the reports required by KRS 189.635 shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in KRS 17.157.

  21. A person who elects to operate a bicycle in accordance with any regulations adopted pursuant to KRS 189.287 and who willfully violates a provision of a regulation shall be fined not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100). A person who operates a bicycle without complying with any regulations adopted pursuant to KRS 189.287 or vehicle safety statutes shall be prosecuted for violation of the latter.

  22. Any person who violates KRS 189.860 shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.

  23. Any person who violates KRS 189.754 shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than three hundred dollars ($300).

  24. Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 189.125(3) shall be fined fifty dollars ($50).

  25. Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 189.125(6) shall be fined an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25).

  26. Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.125(3), KRS 189.290, KRS 189.300, KRS 189.340, KRS 189.345, KRS 189.370, KRS 189.393, or KRS 189.505, shall, in addition to any other fine imposed by this chapter, pay an additional fee of ten dollars ($10). Funds collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the traumatic brain injury trust fund, created pursuant to KRS 211.476, within fourteen (14) days after the end of each quarter, to be used for the purposes set forth in KRS 211.470 to 211.478.

  27. Fines levied pursuant to this chapter shall be assessed in the manner required by KRS 534.020, in amounts consistent with this chapter. Nonpayment of fines shall be governed by KRS 534.060.

  28. A licensed driver under the age of eighteen (18) charged with a moving violation pursuant to this chapter as the driver of a motor vehicle may be referred, prior to trial, by the court to a diversionary program. The diversionary program under this subsection shall consist of one (1) or both of the following:

    1. Execution of a diversion agreement which prohibits the driver from operating a vehicle for a period not to exceed forty-five (45) days and which allows the court to retain the driver's operator's license during this period; and

    2. Attendance at a driver improvement clinic established pursuant to KRS 186.574. If the person completes the terms of this diversionary program satisfactorily the violation shall be dismissed.

  29. Any person who violates the provisions of KRS 189.285 shall have his or her operator's license suspended for a period of ninety (90) days and be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).

Section 4. The following KRS section is repealed:

      186.865   Motorcycle registration requirements -- Health insurance requirements.

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