Texas Helmet Laws for Bikers

Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear:

2-14 HEADGEAR. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:

2-15 (1) operates or rides as a passenger on a motorcycle

2-16 on a public street or highway; and

2-17 (2) is not wearing protective headgear that meets

2-18 safety standards adopted by the department.

2-19 (b) A person commits an offense if the person carries on a

2-20 motorcycle on a public street or highway a passenger who is not

2-21 wearing protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by

2-22 the department.

2-23 (c) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (a)

2-24 or (b) [a defense to prosecution under this section] that at the

2-25 time the offense was committed, the person required to wear

3-1 protective headgear[:]

3-2 [(1)] was at least 21 [18] years old[;] and had

3-3 successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety

3-4 course under Chapter 662 or was covered by a health insurance plan

3-5 providing the person with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for

3-6 injuries incurred as a result of an accident while operating or

3-7 riding on a motorcycle "

These 21-year-old exemption/modifications constitute a dangerous and disturbing trend of discrimination against our own kind and believe bikers should start thinking about this. There also have a real problem with the acceptance of special provisions for insurance, special fees and/or any other legislation that requires bikers to apologize for themselves.

FINE:

Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear. :
". . .(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10 or more than $50."

STANDARDS:

Title 7. Vehicles and Traffic. Subtitle G. Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles. Chapter 661. Protective Headgear for Motorcycle Operators and passengers. Section 661.003. Offenses Relating to Not Wearing Protective Headgear. :
"(a)(2) . . . protective headgear that meets safety standards adopted by the department."

COURT DECISIONS:

We have been unable to uncover any court decision from a court of record, either from the Texas Appellate or Supreme Courts, which indicates that the question of whether or not Texas's helmet law is constitutional has not been addressed in the courts.

CURRENT ACTIVITY:

HB 625 and SB 350 - Equal Access bills. Would prohibit discrimination in places of public access based on all the usual in addition to just because you were riding a motorcycle.

It is very much apparent that Chairman Nixon has no intention of moving HB625. SB350 is scheduled for a hearing in Jurisprudence Committee on May 7th at 1:30 pm or upon adjournment. Your State Chair also has an appointment at the VA Hospital to learn what all the new tests showed and make any medication adjustments necessary for better results. Despite knowing this Bill will not pass regardless of testimony, your chairman will cancel the appointment and attend the hearing. I refuse to give them an opportunity to say we turned tail and run.

It looks like Gov. Perry killed this bill again unless one of the Rep. Senators stands by their original commitment and votes for SB350 tomorrow (unlikely). Chairman Nixon will let the House version HB625 die in committee even though he has told us he'd bring it out (another lie).

HB 931 - Failure to Yield bill... "Kill a Biker, Go To Jail". No more "I didn't see the motorcycle" and a slap on the wrist.

HB931 is in Calendars Committee still waiting to be sent to the Floor for passage. We met with Chairman Wooley's staff and pleaded for expedition of this Bill. We also asked that Da'Lady speak with Chairman Wooley on the Floor. That still leaves a whirlwind race to the Senate to get it passed with no amendments. That is the easiest way to salvage that one.

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