SUMMARY ANALYSIS
HB 169 provides that a person under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a horse on public lands. The requirement does not apply if the person is registered to compete or perform during a show or event, if the person is riding a horse on private property, or if the person is engaged in an agricultural related activity. The bill also prohibits parents from allowing children less than 16 years of age to ride horses on public property without a helmet. Similarly, the bill requires anyone renting a horse to be ridden by a person less than 16 years of age to verify the underage person has a helmet or provide the person with a helmet. A person violating this provision is guilty of a noncriminal violation, punishable by a $500 fine plus applicable fees and court costs. To the extent that parents of riders and persons who rent horses will be required to purchase safety helmets, there may be an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on the private sector (See Fiscal Comments section for additional details). This bill’s effective date is October 1, 2009.