MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representatives Nettles, Hudson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROHIBITION AGAINST A PERSON OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE OR MOTOR SCOOTER UPON THE PUBLIC ROADS OR HIGHWAYS OF THIS STATE WITHOUT WEARING AN APPROVED CRASH HELMET IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO PERSONS UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE; TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS WHO ARE UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE BUT WHO ARE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WEARING A CRASH HELMET IF SUCH PERSONS MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS RELATING TO TRAINING AND MOTORCYCLE RIDING EXPERIENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-7-64, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-7-64. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no person under twenty-one (21) years of age may operate or ride upon any motorcycle or motor scooter upon the public roads or highways of this state unless such person is wearing on his or her head a crash helmet of the type and design inspected and approved by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Violation of this section shall be deemed a violation of the traffic regulations and rules of the road and punishable as provided by Section 63-9-11.

(2) A person who is under twenty-one (21) years of age but who is at least eighteen (18) years of age is not subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section if such person possesses a certificate from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation evidencing completion of a rider's safety course and two (2) years of motorcycle riding experience.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.