Brief Description: Defining "motorcycle helmet."

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Zarelli, Haugen, Prentice, Mulliken, Benton, Oke and Carlson).

Hearing Date: 4/4/03

Staff: Reema Griffith (786-7301).

Background:

Currently, persons riding motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds are required to wear motorcycle helmets. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is authorized under current law, to adopt motorcycle helmet standards, which they have done via the rule making process. The standards established by Patrol are the based upon Federal standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Summary of Bill:

The authority of the WSP to adopt rules for protective helmets is removed.

The term "motorcycle helmet" is defined as a protective covering for the head, consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the outer shell, and a neck or chin strap type retention system, with the symbol "DOT" affixed to the outside of the helmet by the manufacturer of the helmet indicating that the motorcycle helmet meets standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.