ORDINANCE NO. 7738

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE 2003 EDITION AND AMENDMENTS THERETO BY ENACTING SECTIONS 17-706 AND 17-707 AS IT RELATES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND HELMET REGULATIONS FOR PERSONS UNDER FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGE.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS:

Section 1.       Chapter XVII, Article 7 of the Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, 2003 Edition, and amendments thereto, is hereby enacted to read as follows:

17-706             USE OF PROTECTIVE HELMETS

(A)       No person fifteen (15) years of age or younger shall ride a bicycle, wear, ride or use any roller skates, inline skates, roller blades, skateboards, or scooter, as these things are commonly defined, within the city limits without properly wearing an approved skate or bicycle helmet securely fastened by chin or neck strap.

(B)       An approved skate or bicycle helmet is headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standard for protective helmets set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets.

17-707             HELMET COUPON IN LIEU OF A PENALTY        

There shall be no fine or jail sentence for violation of Section 17-706.  In lieu of a fine, any person fifteen (15) years of age or younger found violating section 17-706 shall be eligible to receive a coupon from a Lawrence law enforcement officer or a Lawrence/Douglas County Fire Medical Department staff person; such coupon shall be valid for one (1) free bicycle helmet redeemable at a designated Lawrence – Douglas County Fire and Medical facility as supplies of helmets are available.

Section 2.       This ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and publication as provided by law.

PASSED by the Governing Body of the City of Lawrence, Kansas the  2nd day of March, 2004.

                                                                                    ___________________________

                                                                                    David M. Dunfield, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________

Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk

Approved as to form and legality:

_______________________________

David L. Corliss, Assistant City Manager &

Director of Legal Services