House File 2097 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2097 BY HANSON A BILL FOR An Act requiring the use of safety helmets by certain young 1 persons operating motorized bicycles, and making penalties 2 applicable. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5489HH (3) 83 dea/nh
H.F. 2097 Section 1. Section 321.275, Code 2009, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 9. Motorized bicycle operators —— 3 helmets. A person who is under seventeen years of age shall 4 wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety helmet when 5 operating a motorized bicycle. The safety helmet shall be 6 worn at all times when the motorized bicycle is in motion. 7 For purposes of this subsection, “safety helmet” means a 8 motorcycle safety helmet that complies with the standards and 9 specifications established under 49 C.F.R. § 571.218. 10 Sec. 2. Section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph b, Code 11 Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows: 12 b. For violations under section 321.275, subsections 1 13 through 7, and subsection 9, sections 321.277A, 321.315, 14 321.316, 321.318, 321.363, and 321.365, the scheduled fine is 15 twenty-five dollars. 16 EXPLANATION 17 This bill requires a person under 17 years of age to wear 18 a safety helmet when operating a motorized bicycle. The bill 19 specifies that the safety helmet must meet federal standards 20 for motorcycle helmets and must be worn by the driver at all 21 times when the motorized bicycle is in motion. 22 Pursuant to current law, a violation of motorized bicycle 23 operating requirements is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a 24 scheduled fine of $25. 25 In addition, a violation of the helmet requirement 26 qualifies as a moving violation and, as such, is grounds for 27 cancellation of the person’s license to operate a motorized 28 bicycle. A person whose license is canceled may reapply for 29 a license after 30 days. If the person who violates the 30 helmet requirement while operating a motorized bicycle has 31 an instruction permit or intermediate driver’s license, a 32 conviction for a moving violation subjects the permittee or 33 licensee to remedial driver improvement action and may be cause 34 for suspension of the license or permit. If the person has a 35 -1- LSB 5489HH (3) 83 dea/nh 1/ 2
H.F. 2097 special minor’s license, or “school” license, a conviction for 1 a moving violation is grounds for license suspension at the 2 discretion of the department of transportation, and two such 3 violations result in mandatory revocation of the license. 4 -2- LSB 5489HH (3) 83 dea/nh 2/ 2