Purpose

Clarify that optometrists may prescribe certain window glazing materials for medical reasons and outline when and how those prescriptions can be used to modify vehicle glazing. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to create a controlled exception to existing glazing rules so medical needs can be met.

Main Provisions

• Create glazing material exceptions: Subdivision 4 does not apply to glazing materials that have not been modified since the original installation, nor to original replacement windows and windshields installed or replaced in conformity with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205, if the glazing is required to satisfy a medical need supported by a prescription or a physician/optometrist’s statement.
• Prescription details required: The prescription or medical statement must specify:
  • the medical need (temporary or permanent),
  • the minimum light transmittance percentage that must be maintained,
  • an expiration date (no more than two years after issue) unless the physician/optometrist indicates the condition is permanent and no expiration is appropriate.
• Vehicle scope for exemptions: The glazing exceptions apply to:
  • rear windows of a pickup truck,
  • rear windows or side windows behind the driver’s seat of a van,
  • side and rear windows of a funeral vehicle,
  • side and rear windows of a limousine,
  • rear and side windows of a police vehicle.
• Use across drivers and occupants: A driver may rely on a prescription or medical statement issued for a person not present in the vehicle if:
  • the prescription is issued to a specified relation (e.g., parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse) or a personal care attendant,
  • the prescription specifies the make, model, and license plate of one or two vehicles that will have tinted windows, and
  • the driver possesses the prescription or statement.

Key Provisions in Plain Terms

• Optometrists can officially prescribe tinted-glazing materials for medical reasons.
• The prescription must clearly state how long the medical need will last and how dark the window can be (minimum light allowed through).
• There’s a two-year limit on the prescription’s expiration, unless the condition is permanent.
• Certain types of vehicles and windows are covered by the medical exemption (e.g., police cars, funeral vehicles, limousines, pickups, vans behind the driver).
• A driver can rely on a prescription for someone else in the vehicle if specific relator, vehicle details, and possession requirements are met.

Definitions and Requirements (Summary)

• Glazing materials: Window tinting materials and related glazing used in motor vehicles.
• Light transmittance: The amount of light allowed to pass through the glazing; the prescription may set a minimum percentage.
• Prescription/medical need: The official document from an optometrist or physician describing the medical justification for tinted glazing.
• Expiration date: Date by which the prescribing professional says the medical need should be reassessed, up to two years (unless permanent).

Exempted Vehicle Types (Specific Examples)

• Rear windows of pickup trucks
• Rear or side windows behind the driver in vans
• Side and rear windows of funeral vehicles
• Side and rear windows of limousines
• Rear and side windows of police vehicles

Practical Implications

• People with certain medical conditions could obtain tinted glazing more easily under a doctor’s or optometrist’s prescription.
• Safeguards (minimum light transmittance, expiration, and vehicle-specific limits) are included to balance medical needs with safety considerations.
• Enforcement and verification will rely on carrying the prescription or medical statement and, when applicable, vehicle details.

Potential Considerations

• How “permanent” vs. “temporary” conditions are determined and documented.
• How the two-year expiration interacts with ongoing medical needs.
• Administrative processes for verifying prescriptions when the driver is not present in the vehicle.

Relevant Terms - glazing materials - light transmittance - prescription - physician’s statement - optometrist’s statement - medical need - expiration date - temporary condition - permanent condition - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 - Minnesota Statutes 169.71 subdivision 4a - rear windows (pickup trucks) - rear/side windows behind driver (van) - funeral vehicle windows (side/rear) - limousine windows (side/rear) - police vehicle windows (rear/side) - make, model, license plate (vehicle identification) - personal care attendant