MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Holden

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE APPLICABLE TO PERSONS AGED 12 AND UNDER FOR FAILURE TO WEAR A BICYCLE HELMET AND PROVIDE A PENALTY THEREFOR; TO REQUIRE THAT NONMOTOR CYCLES SOLD FOR USE BY PERSONS AGED 12 AND UNDER TO BE SOLD WITH HELMETS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) No person aged twelve (12) years and under shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on any public road, street or highway in this state without wearing a bicycle helmet. For the purpose of this section the term "bicycle helmet" means a piece of protective headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each violation.

(2) All nonmotorized cycles sold in the state for use by persons aged twelve (12) and under shall be sold with a bicycle helmet. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

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