HF 2233 (LSB 5887YH (2) 88)

HOUSE FILE 2233

BY  BROWN-POWERS, STAED, and MATSON

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring minors to wear helmets while riding motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.275, Code 2020, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  9.  Helmets required for minors.
   a.  A person under eighteen years of age shall not operate a motorcycle or motorized bicycle on the highways unless the person is wearing a safety helmet.
   b.  A person shall not operate a motorcycle or motorized bicycle on the highways accompanied by a passenger under eighteen years of age unless the passenger is wearing a safety helmet.
   c.  For purposes of this subsection, “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet that complies with the standards and specifications established in 49 C.F.R. §571.218 on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing guidelines for approved safety helmets and shall maintain and publish a list of approved safety helmets. The list need not be inclusive. 
    Sec. 2.  Section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph b, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  Section 321.275, subsections 1
through 7, and 9$ 35.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill prohibits a person under 18 years of age from operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle on the highways unless the person is wearing a safety helmet. The bill also prohibits any person from operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle on the highways accompanied by a passenger under 18 years of age unless the passenger is wearing a safety helmet. The bill provides that a violation of these provisions is punishable by a scheduled fine of $35.
   Under the bill, “wearing a safety helmet” means having a safety helmet that complies with the standards and specifications established in the Code of Federal Regulations on the person’s head that is fastened with the helmet straps and that is of a size that fits the person’s head securely without excessive lateral or vertical movement.