House File 332 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 332 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 2618YH (2) 84 dea/nh
H.F. 332 Section 1. Section 321.275, Code 2011, 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 2011, is amended to read as follows: 12 b. Section 321.275, subsections 1 13 through 7 and subsection 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 35. 14 EXPLANATION 15 This bill requires a person under 17 years of age to wear 16 a safety helmet when operating a motorized bicycle. The bill 17 specifies that the safety helmet must meet federal standards 18 for motorcycle helmets and must be worn by the driver at all 19 times when the motorized bicycle is in motion. 20 Pursuant to current law, a violation of motorized bicycle 21 operating requirements is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a 22 scheduled fine of $35. 23 In addition, a violation of the helmet requirement 24 qualifies as a moving violation and, as such, is grounds for 25 cancellation of the person’s license to operate a motorized 26 bicycle. A person whose license is canceled may reapply for 27 a license after 30 days. If the person who violates the 28 helmet requirement while operating a motorized bicycle has 29 an instruction permit or intermediate driver’s license, a 30 conviction for a moving violation subjects the permittee or 31 licensee to remedial driver improvement action and may be cause 32 for suspension of the license or permit. If the person has a 33 special minor’s license, or “school” license, a conviction for 34 a moving violation is grounds for license suspension at the 35 -1- LSB 2618YH (2) 84 dea/nh 1/ 2
H.F. 332 discretion of the department of transportation, and two such 1 violations result in mandatory revocation of the license. 2 -2- LSB 2618YH (2) 84 dea/nh 2/ 2