Bronx
Democratic Senator, Ruben Diaz, introduced legislation (S794-2013) in response
to the large number of injuries related to the use of skateboards and roller
skates among children. The proposed bill
would require New York retailers to post conspicuous warning labels informing
buyers of skateboards and inline skates to use protective gear
The bill, which is presently sitting in the New York State Senate’s Committee on Consumer Protection, would require retailers to post labels or tags on their products reading “Warning! Reduce the risk of serious injury and only use [this product] while wearing full protective gear – helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads.” If passed, the law would also require retailers to include a warning instruction within the user’s guide or buyer’s instruction manual.
The proposed legislation gives the attorney general authority to seek a court order enjoining a retailer’s continued violation of the law, and permits the court to impose a fine of up to five hundred dollars for each violation.
Similar legislation has been proposed in the New York State Assembly. Syracuse Democrat William B. Magnarelli sponsored a bill (A00473) that would amend the state’s vehicle and traffic law to require protective headgear for operators of bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and scooters who are under age eighteen. The current law only requires protective headgear for children under fourteen.