Amendment #22 to H5375

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

Mr. Howitt of Seekonk moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: 

“SECTION X. Chapter 85 of the Massachusetts 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.”