April 19, 2015

UPDATE California mandatory bicycle helmet law and retroreflective clothing bill [Senate Bill 192 2015]

As for the California Senate Bill 192 introduced in February 2015 discussed in our earlier post a number of bicycle advocacy groups came out of the woodwork against this bill much like the mandatory motorcycle helmet bills. The changes are set forth below as of this posting, so it looks like the clothing part is gone as well. The revised bill language is now asking the state’s Office of Traffic Study (OTS) to work with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to investigate helmet use and report back the findings in early 2017. Robert Oakes, the legislative director of the bill sponsor stated that "The hope is that OTS and the CHP can examine current bicycle helmet use and accident reports to determine what percentage of adults do not wear a helmet when they ride a bike, and also determine how many deaths and injuries would have been prevented if those riders had been required to wear helmets". The "theory" is that many injuries or deaths in car vs bike scenarios would not be prevented with just helmets but of course what really needs to be examined closely at are long term traumatic brain injuries (but not necessarily fatal) that occur due to the lack of a helmet regardless of the circumstances of the crash or other injuries that would not be prevented using a helmet (such as injuries to other body parts). 

Amended  IN  Senate  April 09, 2015


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2015–2016 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill No. 192

Introduced by Senator Liu

February 10, 2015

An act to amend Section 21212 of add and repeal Section 21213 of the Vehicle Code, relating to bicycles.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 192, as amended, Liu. Bicycles: helmets.

Existing law prohibits a person under 18 years of age from operating a bicycle, riding on a bicycle as a passenger, or riding in a trailer towed by a bicycle unless the person is wearing a bicycle helmet meeting specified standards. A violation of those provisions is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $25.
This bill would require every person, regardless of age, to wear a bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle, riding on a bicycle as a passenger, or riding in a trailer towed by a bicycle. The bill would also require a person engaged in these activities in the darkness to wear retroreflective high-visibility safety apparel, as specified. Because a violation of this requirement would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. require the Office of Traffic Study, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to conduct a comprehensive study of bicycle helmet use, including specified information, and to report the study’s findings to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing and the Assembly Committee on Transportation by January 1, 2017.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YESNO  


The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 21213 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
21213.
 (a) The Office of Traffic Study, in coordination with the department, shall conduct a comprehensive study of bicycle helmet use, including, but not limited to, determining the percentage of California bicyclists who do not wear helmets, and the fatalities or serious injuries that could have been avoided if helmets had been worn. A report of the study’s findings shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing and the Assembly Committee on Transportation by January 1, 2017.
(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January, 1, 2021.
SECTION 1.Section 21212 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:21212.
(a)(1)A person shall not operate a bicycle, or ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
(2)A person shall not engage in the activities described in paragraph (1) in the darkness, as defined in Section 280, unless that person is wearing high-visibility safety apparel, which may include a vest, jacket, or shirt, that is retroreflective and meets the requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear, published by the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association or standards subsequently established by those entities.
(b)A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a nonmotorized scooter or a skateboard, nor wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a nonmotorized scooter or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the safety standards described in subdivision (a).
(c)Any helmet sold or offered for sale for use by operators and passengers of bicycles, nonmotorized scooters, skateboards, or in-line or roller skates shall be conspicuously labeled in accordance with the standard described in subdivision (a) which shall constitute the manufacturer’s certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable safety standards.
(d)No person shall sell, or offer for sale, for use by an operator or passenger of a bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or in-line or roller skates any safety helmet is not of a type meeting requirements established by this section.
(e)Any charge under this subdivision shall be dismissed when the person charged alleges in court, under oath, that the charge against the person is the first charge against that person under this subdivision, unless it is otherwise established in court that the charge is not the first charge against the person.
(f)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), a violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25).
(2)The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.
(g)Notwithstanding Section 1463 of the Penal Code or any other provision of law, the fines collected for a violation of this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1)Seventy-two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in a special account of the county health department, to be used for bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, and in-line and roller skate safety education and for assisting low-income families in obtaining approved bicycle helmets for children under 18 years of age, either on a loan or purchase basis. The county may contract for the implementation of this program, which, to the extent practicable, shall be operated in conjunction with the child passenger restraint program pursuant to Section 27360.
(2)Two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to be used by the county to administer the program described in paragraph (1).
(3)If the violation occurred within a city, 25 percent of the amount collected shall be transferred to and deposited in the treasury of that city. If the violation occurred in an unincorporated area, this 25 percent shall be deposited and used pursuant to paragraph (1).
SEC. 2.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

Law Offices of Steven W. Hansen | www.swhlaw.com | 562 866 6228 © Copyright 1996-2013 Conditions of Use

April 13, 2015

Comment period closing April 15 2015 on Prohibition of Children's Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) comment period to permanently ban certain phthalates closes in a few days (April 15) unless they agree to extend the comment period. If your products contain any type of phthalates its a good idea to at least review this regulation and comment here. On December 30, 2014, the Commission published an Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) in the Federal Register proposing to prohibit children's toys and child care articles containing specified phthalates. (79 FR 78324). This was a well written article about the upcoming vote/issue.

Here is a refresher on whether your product might be at issue in this regulation:

Section 108(a) of the CPSIA permanently prohibits the manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribution in commerce, or importation into the United States of any ‘‘children’s toy or child care article’’ that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). Section 108(b)(1) of the CPSIA prohibits on an interim basis (i.e., until the Commission promulgates a final rule), the manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribution in commerce, or importation into the United States of ‘‘any children’s toy that can be placed in a child’s mouth’’ or ‘‘child care article’’ containing concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), or di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP). The CPSIA defines a ‘‘children’s toy’’ as ‘‘a consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer for a child 12 years of age or younger for use by the child when the child plays.’’ Id. Section 108(g)(1)(B). A ‘‘child care article’’ is defined as ‘‘a consumer product designed or intended by the manufacturer to facilitate sleep or the feeding of children age 3 and younger, or to help such children with sucking or teething.’’ Id. Section 108(g)(1)(C). A ‘‘toy can be placed in a child’s mouth if any part of the toy can actually be brought to the mouth and kept in the mouth by a child so that it can be sucked and chewed. If the children’s product can only be licked, it is not regarded as able to be placed in the mouth. If a toy or part of a toy in one dimension is smaller than 5 centimeters, it can be placed in the mouth.’’ Id. Section 108(g)(2)(B). These statutory prohibitions became effective in February 2009. The interim prohibitions remain in effect until the Commission issues a final rule determining whether to make the interim prohibitions permanent. Id. Section 108(b)(1).


Law Offices of Steven W. Hansen | www.swhlaw.com | 562 866 6228 © Copyright 1996-2013 Conditions of Use

February 12, 2015

California mandatory bicycle helmet law and retroreflective clothing bill [Senate Bill 192 2015]

Read the update to this posting here.

This is an interesting bill (reprinted below as of this posting) just introduced February 10, 2015 here in the California Legislature. Most states bicycle helmet laws only require helmets for minors (under 18). This proposed law goes well beyond that requiring helmets for all riders. Typically the motorcycle helmet laws in various states cover riders of all years and those don't seem to be well received by riders. The fine proposed in this bill is $25.00 but with all the penalty assessments tacked on to fines these days the fine amount is usually 1/3 of the total price of the violation. There is also a "retroreflective" clothing requirement in here. That of course is going to be tricky as well as most bike clothing that is "highly visible" still may not comply with the American National Standard (ANSI) for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.  So I don't see this going anywhere fast but who knows. They finally got the Three Foot Passing law passed after 2 or three attempts.

Also below the California bill, a Wyoming bill (HB 0206 introduced 2015) now also has its own take on what clothing ("...high visibility fluorescent orange, green or pink color clothing...") should be worn. Fortunately the two states are not right next to each other otherwise you would have to change clothing as you crossed state lines ! Better call the Fashion Police.

California Senate Bill No. 192
Introduced by Senator Liu

February 10, 2015
An act to amend Section 21212 of the Vehicle Code, relating to bicycles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST



Existing law prohibits a person under 18 years of age from operating a bicycle, riding on a bicycle as a passenger, or riding in a trailer towed by a bicycle unless the person is wearing a bicycle helmet meeting specified standards. A violation of those provisions is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $25.
This bill would require every person, regardless of age, to wear a bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle, riding on a bicycle as a passenger, or riding in a trailer towed by a bicycle. The bill would also require a person engaged in these activities in the darkness to wear retroreflective high-visibility safety apparel, as specified. Because a violation of this requirement would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  


The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 21212 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
21212.
 (a) (1) A person under shall not operate a bicycle, or ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

(2) A person shall not engage in the activities described in paragraph (1) in the darkness, as defined in Section 280, unless that person is wearing high-visibility safety apparel, which may include a vest, jacket, or shirt, that is retroreflective and meets the requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear, published by the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association or standards subsequently established by those entities.

(b) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle safety standards described in subdivision (a).

(b)

(c) Any helmet sold or offered for sale for use by operators and passengers of bicycles, nonmotorized scooters, skateboards, or in-line or roller skates shall be conspicuously labeled in accordance with the standard described in subdivision (a) which shall constitute the manufacturer’s certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable safety standards.

(c)

(d) No person shall sell, or offer for sale, for use by an operator or passenger of a bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or in-line or roller skates any safety helmet which is not of a type meeting requirements established by this section.

(d)

(e) Any charge under this subdivision shall be dismissed when the person charged alleges in court, under oath, that the charge against the person is the first charge against that person under this subdivision, unless it is otherwise established in court that the charge is not the first charge against the person.

(e)

(f) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (d) (e), a violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25).
(2) The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for the amount of the fine imposed pursuant to this subdivision.

(f)

(g) Notwithstanding Section 1463 of the Penal Code or any other provision of law, the fines collected for a violation of this section shall be allocated as follows:
(1) Seventy-two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in a special account of the county health department, to be used for bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, and in-line and roller skate safety education and for assisting low-income families in obtaining approved bicycle helmets for children under the age of 18 years of age, either on a loan or purchase basis. The county may contract for the implementation of this program, which, to the extent practicable, shall be operated in conjunction with the child passenger restraint program pursuant to Section 27360.
(2) Two and one-half percent of the amount collected shall be deposited in the county treasury to be used by the county to administer the program described in paragraph (1).
(3) If the violation occurred within a city, 25 percent of the amount collected shall be transferred to and deposited in the treasury of that city. If the violation occurred in an unincorporated area, this 25 percent shall be deposited and used pursuant to paragraph (1).

SEC. 2.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
 2015 STATE OF WYOMING 15LSO-0538

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0206
Bicycles on roadways.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Northrup, Burkhart, Hunt, Jaggi, Paxton and Steinmetz 

A BILL for AN ACT relating to regulation of traffic on roadways; requiring bicyclists using roadways to wear colored clothing and carry photo identification; requiring lights on the rear of the bicycle as specified; and providing for an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming: 

Section 1. W.S. 31-5-704 by creating new subsections (d) and (e) and 31-5-706 by creating a new subsection (d) are amended to read: 
31-5-704. Riding on roadways and designated paths.

(d) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall wear not less than two hundred (200) square inches of high visibility fluorescent orange, green or pink color clothing visible from the front and the rear of the bicycle.

(e) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall carry a government issued form of photo identification that includes the person's name, address and date of birth.

31-5-706. Lamps and other equipment.

(d) In addition to the lamps and reflectors required under this section, every bicycle shall be equipped at all times with a light emitting device, such as a strobe light or flashing light, on the rear of the bicycle.
Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2015.

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