CS/HB 169

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to equine activities; providing a short
3title; providing legislative intent; creating s. 773.06,
4F.S.; defining the term "equine"; requiring a child
5younger than a specified age to wear a helmet when riding
6an equine in certain locations; providing requirements for
7helmets; requiring a person renting or leasing an equine
8for riding by a child younger than a specified age to
9provide a helmet if the child does not have a helmet;
10prohibiting a parent or guardian of a child younger than a
11specified age from authorizing or permitting the child to
12engage in certain conduct; providing a penalty; providing
13exceptions; providing an effective date.
14
15Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17     Section 1.  This act may be cited as "Nicole's Law."
18     Section 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to further
19promote the safety, health, and welfare of children younger than
2016 years of age who engage in equestrian activities and
21recreation in this state by enacting safety standards to
22minimize the number of serious or fatal head injuries sustained
23by children during equestrian activities and recreation.
24     Section 3.  Section 773.06, Florida Statutes, is created to
25read:
26     773.06  Helmet requirements; penalties.--
27     (1)  As used in this section, the term "equine" has the
28same meaning as provided in s. 773.01.
29     (2)  A child who is younger than 16 years of age must wear
30a helmet that meets the current applicable standards of the
31American Society of Testing and Materials for protective
32headgear used in horseback riding and that is properly fitted
33and fastened securely upon the child's head by a strap when the
34child is riding an equine upon:
35     (a)  A public roadway or right-of-way;
36     (b)  A public equestrian trail, public recreational trail,
37public park or preserve, or public school site; or
38     (c)  Any other publicly owned or controlled property.
39     (3)  A trainer, instructor, supervisor, or other person may
40not knowingly rent or lease an equine to be ridden by a child
41younger than 16 years of age unless the child possesses a helmet
42meeting the requirements of this section or the trainer,
43instructor, supervisor, or other person renting or leasing the
44equine supplies the child with a helmet meeting the standards of
45this section.
46     (4)  A parent or guardian of a child younger than 16 years
47of age may not authorize or knowingly permit the child to
48violate this section.
49     (5)  A person who violates subsection (3) or subsection (4)
50commits a noncriminal violation, punishable as provided in s.
51775.083.
52     (6)  This section does not apply to a child younger than 16
53years of age who is riding an equine when the child is:
54     (a)  Practicing for or competing or performing in shows or
55events, including, but not limited to, rodeos and parades, where
56helmets are not historically a part of the show or event;
57     (b)  Riding on privately owned land even if the land is
58occasionally separated by a public road or right-of-way that
59must be crossed; or
60     (c)  Engaged in an agricultural practice or pursuit.
61     Section 4.  This act shall take effect October 1, 2009.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.