HCS/HB 576 - Currently, every person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or motortricycle are required to wear a helmet at all times the vehicle is in motion. This act provides that an operator age 21 or older who is covered by a health insurance policy and who has possessed his or her motorcycle license or endorsement for at least 2 years or completed a motorcycle safety education course is exempt from this requirement.
No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance with these helmet requirements. Upon request, riders shall provide proof to law enforcement of the health insurance coverage required by these provisions.
These provisions are similar to provisions in HB 235 (2017), SB 323 (2017), HB 535 (2017), HB 588 (2017), HB 1371 (2016), SCS/HB 1464 (2016), HB 1657 (2016), HB 1663 (2016), HB 1749 (2016), HB 2719 (2016), HB 2720 (2016), and SCS/SBs 851 & 694 (2016).
This act also modifies the definition of "autocycle" to include partially or completely enclosed vehicles with a non-straddle-type seating area, and removes statutory requirements for certain safety features, and instead requires that the vehicle meet applicable National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requirements or federal motorcycle safety standards.
These provisions are similar to provisions contained in CCS/SB 8 (2017), SCS/HB 256 (2017), SB 379 (2017), HB 824 (2017), CCS/SB 222 (2017), and CCS/HCS/SB 225.
ERIC VANDER WEERD