FIRST REGULAR SESSION

SENATE BILL NO. 294

90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR STAPLES.

Read 1st time January 18, 1999, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.



TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

S1277.01I

AN ACT

To repeal section 302.020, RSMo Supp. 1998, relating to motor vehicles, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A.  Section 302.020, RSMo Supp. 1998, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 302.020, to read as follows:

302.020.  1.  Unless otherwise provided for by law, it shall be unlawful for any person, except those expressly exempted by section 302.080, to:

(1)  Operate any vehicle upon any highway in this state unless the person has a valid license;

(2)  Operate a motorcycle or motortricycle upon any highway of this state unless such person has a valid license that shows the person has successfully passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle as prescribed by the director.  The director may indicate such upon a valid license issued to such person, or shall issue a license restricting the applicant to the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle if the actual demonstration, required by section 302.173, is conducted on such vehicle;

(3)  Authorize or knowingly permit a motorcycle or motortricycle owned by such person or under such person's control to be driven upon any highway by any person whose license does not indicate that the person has passed the examination for the operation of a motorcycle or motortricycle or has been issued an instruction permit therefor;

(4)  Operate a motor vehicle with an instruction permit or license issued to another person.

2.  Every person who is under twenty-one years of age operating or riding as

a passenger on any motorcycle or motortricycle, as defined in section 301.010, RSMo, upon any highway of this state shall wear protective headgear at all times the vehicle is in motion.  The protective headgear shall meet reasonable standards and specifications established by the director.

3.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 302.340, violation of subsection 1 of this section shall be deemed a class C misdemeanor and the penalty for failure to wear protective headgear as required by subsection 2 of this section shall be deemed an infraction for which a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars may be imposed.  Notwithstanding all other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary, no court costs shall be imposed upon any person due to such violation.  No points shall be assessed pursuant to section 302.302 for a failure to wear such protective headgear.