Bill Text: IA HF267 | 2015-2016 | 86th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: A bill for an act relating to the use of safety helmets by operators of, and passengers on, motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and making a penalty applicable.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-17 - Introduced, referred to Public Safety. H.J. 324. [HF267 Detail]
Download: Iowa-2015-HF267-Introduced.html
House File 267 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY MASCHER A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the use of safety helmets by operators of, 2 and passengers on, motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and 3 making a penalty applicable. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 2132YH (2) 86 ns/nh PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 321.275, subsection 2, Code 2015, is 1 2 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 1 3 NEW PARAGRAPH. c. Helmets. 1 4 (1) A person shall not operate a motorcycle or motorized 1 5 bicycle on a highway of this state if the operator or any 1 6 passenger is not wearing a safety helmet. A person shall 1 7 not ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or motorized bicycle 1 8 being operated on a highway of this state if the operator, the 1 9 person, or any other passenger is not wearing a safety helmet. 1 10 (2) For purposes of this paragraph "c", "wearing a safety 1 11 helmet" means having a safety helmet that complies with the 1 12 standards and specifications established in 49 C.F.R. {571.218 1 13 on the person's head that is fastened with the helmet straps 1 14 and that is of a size that fits the person's head securely 1 15 without excessive lateral or vertical movement. The department 1 16 shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for approved safety 1 17 helmets and shall maintain and publish a list of approved 1 18 safety helmets. The list need not be inclusive. 1 19 EXPLANATION 1 20 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 1 21 the explanation's substance by the members of the general assembly. 1 22 This bill requires the operator and passenger on a 1 23 motorcycle or motorized bicycle to each wear a safety helmet 1 24 when the vehicle is operated on a highway. The bill prohibits 1 25 a person from operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle on 1 26 a highway if the operator or any passenger is not wearing a 1 27 safety helmet. The bill also prohibits a person from being a 1 28 passenger on a motorcycle or motorized bicycle if the operator 1 29 is not wearing a safety helmet. 1 30 The safety helmet must be in compliance with federal 1 31 regulations and must fit the person's head securely and be 1 32 fastened with helmet straps. The bill directs the department 1 33 of transportation to establish guidelines for motorcycle safety 1 34 helmets and to maintain and publish a list of approved helmets. 1 35 Pursuant to current law, a violation of motorcycle or 2 1 motorized bicycle provisions is a simple misdemeanor punishable 2 2 by a scheduled fine of $35. LSB 2132YH (2) 86 ns/nh
