MN HF1789

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 65B.51, subdivision 3, to prohibit recovery of noneconomic damages in motor vehicle accidents for uninsured or unregistered vehicle operators and uninsured vehicle owners, except when injured by a drunk driver.

Establishes that persons operating vehicles without financial responsibility or owners of uninsured vehicles cannot recover noneconomic losses for pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement, and other nonpecuniary damages.

Prohibits insurers from providing liability or uninsured motorist coverage to indemnify noneconomic losses for uninsured or unregistered vehicle operators and uninsured vehicle owners.

Creates an exception allowing uninsured vehicle owners to recover noneconomic damages if injured by a motorist operating under the influence (sections 169A.20 to 169A.27) who was subsequently convicted.

Maintains existing threshold requiring medical expense benefits to exceed $4,000 or injury to result in permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, death, or disability lasting 60 days or more for any noneconomic damage recovery.