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DC Bill to Add Scooter Helmet Requirement

Introduced on December 4, 2001


Summary:


A BILL

In the Council of the District of Columbia

Councilmember Adrian Fenty introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on __________.

To amend Title 18 Section 1211.1 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to require that all persons under sixteen (16) years of age riding roller-skates, skateboards, sleds, coasters, toy vehicles, sidewalk bicycles, scooters or any similar devices wear a safety helmet.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Miscellaneous Vehicles Helmet Safety Amendment Act of 2001".

Sec. 2. Subsection 1211.1 of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (18 DCMR Subsection 1211.l), is amended as follows:

(a) The existing text shall be designated as paragraph (a);
(B) New paragraphs (b-e) are added to read as follows:

"(b) It shall be unlawful for any person under sixteen (16) years of age to ride roller-skates, skateboards, sleds, coasters, toy vehicles, sidewalk bicycles, scooters or any similar devices unless that person wears a protective helmet of good fit, fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet.

"(c) The parents or legal guardians of any child under 16 years of age found in violation of this section shall be liable for paying a fine of $25. However, the fine shall be suspended for: (1) First time violators; or (2) Violators who subsequent to the violation, but prior to the imposition of tine, purchase a helmet of the type required by (b).

"(d) The penalties provided for pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection shall not be enforced until ninety (90) days after the effective date of this Amendment.

"(e) Any helmet sold or rented, or offered for sale or rent, for use by operators and passengers of roller-skates, skateboards, sleds, coasters, toy vehicles, sidewalk bicycles, scooters or any similar devices shall be conspicuously labeled in accordance with the standard described in 5 50-1609(5)."

Sec. 3. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c) (1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code Subsection l-233 (c) (1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.