ridecamp@endurance.net: HORSE SPORTS AND RIDING SAFETY ACT OF 1997

HORSE SPORTS AND RIDING SAFETY ACT OF 1997

karen Clanin (kclanin@fix.net)
Fri, 16 May 1997 09:32:30 -0700 (PDT)

The following amended bill passed the California assembly judiciary
committee by a 10 to 4 vote on 5/15/97.
We have removed the wording that has been lined out and to the best of our
knowledge this is the bill as it stands now. We would be interested in the
feedback of those that understand these matters in what way this bill will
effect the endurance and CTR riders and/or ride management if it is passed
in it's present form.

BILL NUMBER: AB 309 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 24, 1997
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 9, 1997
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 31, 1997
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Floyd
FEBRUARY 14, 1997
An act to add Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 116095) to Part
10 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public
safety.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 309, as amended, Floyd. Public safety: horseback riding
activities: protective headgear.
Existing law prohibits a person under the age of 18 years from
operating a bicycle in a public place unless that person is wearing a
properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting specified
standards. Existing law also requires a driver and any passenger to
wear a safety helmet meeting certain standards when riding on a
motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.
This bill would state the findings and intent of the
Legislature that persons engaged in horse sports or horseback riding
should wear protective headgear that meets specified standards.
The bill would require headgear sold or offered for sale for
horse sports and horseback riding to be conspicuously labeled
in accordance with the specified standards and would prohibit the
sale or offer for sale of any headgear that is not certified as being
of a type meeting the safety standards.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 116095) is added to
Part 10 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
CHAPTER 6. HORSE SPORTS AND RIDING SAFETY ACT OF 1997
116095. (a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
Horse Sports and Riding Safety Act of 1997.
(b) (1) The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
(A) Horseback riding has a large number of participants in
California.
(B) Horseback riding is a safe sport, but when accidents occur
they are more likely to have a greater mortality and morbidity and to
leave a greater residual disability.
(C) Head and neck injuries are frequent and are the most severe.
(D) Youth and young adults are more likely to have horse-related
accidents, but when an older rider has an accident it tends to be
more severe.
(E) Females are more likely to have horse-related accidents than
males, but head injuries cause an equal percentage of deaths in males
and females.
(F) Head, face, and neck injuries can be prevented, their
frequency decreased and the severity of the injury reduced by wearing
protective headgear for horse sports and horseback riding that meets
or exceeds the standards set forth in the "Standard Specification
for Protective Headgear Used in Horse Sports and Horseback Riding"
issued by the American Society for Testing and Materials under
designation F 1163, and that is certified as meeting those standards
by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI).
(2) Any protective headgear sold or offered for sale for
horse sports and horseback riding shall be conspicuously labeled
in accordance with the standard described in subparagraph (F) of
paragraph (1), which shall constitute the manufacturer's certification
that the helmet conforms to the applicable safety standards.
(3) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, any protective headgear
for horse sports and horseback riding that is not of a type meeting
requirements established by this section.

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