New Jersey One Step Closer to Being First State to Require Ski Helmets for Children
The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation which would make New Jersey the first state in the nation to require helmets for minors while skiing or snowboarding. The bill was sponsored by Assembly Republicans Anthony Bucco, Scott T. Rumana and Nancy F. Muñoz. The Assembly Tourism and Arts Committee unanimously approved the legislation on January 20, 2011 during the National Ski Areas Association’s National Safety Awareness Week.
"New Jersey is now positioned to lead the nation down the trail toward safer skiing for children," Bucco said. "Everyone should strap on a helmet before hitting the slopes because medical evidence has clearly demonstrated that this simple act can greatly reduce the threat of serious injury while skiing or snowboarding."
The bill would require anyone less than 18-years-old to wear a proper helmet while downhill skiing or snowboarding. Parents, guardians or supervising adults would be responsible for complying with the law. "Young people wear helmets when they ride bicycles and that safety requirement should remain in place when they’re skiing and snowboarding," Muñoz, R-Union, Essex, Morris and Somerset, said. "This will make sure parents provide their children a simple safeguard against serious injury on the slopes."