HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5363        FILED ON: 9/12/2024

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Steven S. Howitt

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act requiring the use of helmets for electronically propelled wheeled vehicle operators and passengers.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Steven S. Howitt

4th Bristol

9/12/2024


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5363        FILED ON: 9/12/2024

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By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven S. Howitt relative to requiring the use of helmets for electronically propelled wheeled vehicle operators and passengers.  Transportation.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act requiring the use of helmets for electronically propelled wheeled vehicle operators and passengers.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 85 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 11D the following section:-

Section 11D1/2. Any person operating an electric scooter, bicycle, skateboard, or other electronically propelled wheeled vehicle, including hybrid electric bicycles, on a public way, bicycle path or on any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet. Such helmet shall fit the person's head and be secured by straps at all times and shall meet the standards for helmets established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4) or the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1984 standard for use in bicycling. A violation of this section shall not be used as evidence of contributory negligence in a civil action. Nothing in this section shall require individuals operating a motorized wheelchair to wear a helmet.

A city or town shall be prohibited from adopting any by-laws or ordinances to change the standards required by this section.