BILL NUMBER: AB 1835	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Olsen

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2014

   An act to amend Section 38601 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
recreational off-highway vehicles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1835, as introduced, Olsen. Recreational off-highway vehicles:
helmets: exemption.
   Existing law prohibits a person from operating, or allowing a
passenger in, a recreational off-highway vehicle unless the person
and the passenger are wearing safety helmets, as specified.
   This bill would exempt an operator or passenger of a recreational
off-highway vehicle from the requirement to wear a safety helmet if
the person is 18 years of age or older, the recreational off-highway
vehicle has been equipped with a rollbar by the manufacturer, the
person is seated in a seat that has been installed by the
manufacturer, and the person is wearing a seat belt.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 38601 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   38601.   A   (a)     Except
as provided in subdivision (b), a  person shall not operate, or
allow a passenger in, a recreational off-highway vehicle unless the
person and the passenger are wearing safety helmets meeting the
requirements established for motorcycles and motorized bicycles
pursuant to Section 27802. 
   (b) An operator or passenger of a recreational off-highway vehicle
is not required to wear a safety helmet pursuant to subdivision (a)
if all of the following apply:  
   (1) The person is 18 years of age or older.  
   (2) The recreational off-highway vehicle has been equipped with a
rollbar by the manufacturer.  
   (3) The person is seated in a seat that has been installed by the
manufacturer for the purpose of seating the operator or passenger of
the recreational off-highway vehicle.  
   (4) The person is wearing a seat belt.