Public safety: snow sport helmets.

Existing law requires a person under 18 years of age to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet while operating a bicycle or riding upon a bicycle as a passenger upon the streets or any other public bicycle path. This bill would require a person under 18 years of age to wear a properly fitted and fastened snow sport helmet while operating snow skis or a snowboard while participating in the sport of downhill skiing or snowboarding, or while riding upon a seat or other device that is attached to the snow skis or a snowboard while participating in the sport of downhill skiing or snowboarding. The bill would impose a $25 fine for a violation of this requirement. The bill would, however, provide that the charge against a person be dismissed if it is the first charge against that person for a violation of this requirement, as specified. Because this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would specify that nothing in those provisions shall be construed to increase or decrease duties imposed under existing law. The bill would also specify that those provisions shall not apply to Nordic skiing. The bill would require a ski resort to post signs at the resort giving reasonable notice of the snow sport helmet requirement and the fine for a violation of that requirement. The bill also would require a ski resort to provide prominent written notice of the snow sport helmet requirement on all trail maps and resort Internet Web sites. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The bill would also provide that it shall become operative only if AB 1652 is also enacted.