ssb 256 -- TINTED WINDOWS

  A study bill for an act relating to tinted windows and making a
  penalty applicable. 3-7-95, Subcommittee: Lind, Dearden and
  Gettings. (SF 378).



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 1       Section 1.  Section 321.438, subsection 2, Code 1995, is
 2   amended to read as follows:
 3       2.  a.  A Except as provided in paragraph "b", a person
 4   shall not operate on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with
 5   a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or
 6   left of the driver, or a side=wing forward of and to the left
 7   or right of the driver which is excessively dark or reflective
 8   so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle
 9   to see into the motor vehicle through the windshield, window,
10   or sidewing sidewings, or side or rear windows which allow for
11   less than seventy percent light tranmittance.  The department
12   shall adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard
13   of transparency which shall apply to violations of this
14   subsection.
15       b.  A person suffering from a light=sensitive disorder may
16   operate a motor vehicle equipped with windows with less than
17   seventy percent light transmittance, if that person has made
18   application and has received a waiver of the restriction for
19   the person's motor vehicle and if a light=sensitive disorder
20   permit is properly affixed to the person's motor vehicle.  The
21   department shall waive the restriction and issue an
22   accompanying permit if the applicant files a written statement
23   signed by a licensed vision specialist which certifies that
24   the applicant suffers from a light=sensitive disorder and that
25   it is medically necessary for the person to obtain a waiver of
26   the light transmittance requirements of this subsection.  Any
27   other person operating a motor vehicle with a light=sensitive
28   disorder permit affixed to the motor vehicle shall not be
29   charged with a violation of this section, even though that
30   person does not suffer from a light=sensitive disorder.  As
31   used in this paragraph, "licensed vision specialist" means a
32   physician or osteopath licensed under chapter 148, 150, or
33   150A, or an optometrist licensed under chapter 154.  This
34   exemption does not apply to commercial vehicles or commercial
35   motor vehicles.  


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 1                             EXPLANATION
 2       This bill prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle
 3   with a windshield or other windows which allow for less than
 4   70 percent light transmittance.
 5       This bill allows a person suffering from a light=sensitive
 6   disorder to obtain a permit from the state department of
 7   transportation allowing the person to operate a motor vehicle
 8   with a front windshield, a front side window, or front
 9   sidewing with less than 70 percent light transmittance.  The
10   person must make application to the department and present a
11   signed statement from a licensed vision specialist indicating
12   that it is medically necessary for that person to operate a
13   motor vehicle whose light transmittance is lower than the
14   present requirement.  Any other person operating a motor
15   vehicle with a light=sensitive disorder permit cannot be
16   charged with a violation of section 321.438, subsection 2,
17   even though that person does not suffer from a light=sensitive
18   disorder.  This exemption does not apply to commercial
19   vehicles or commercial motor vehicles.
20       A violation of section 321.438 is a scheduled fine of $15.  
21   LSB 2305SC 76
22   js/sc/14

 BILL PROVIDED BY THE IOWA LEGISLATIVE NEWS SERVICE