The Senate today took the wheels off a bill that originally required children under 18 years of age to don a helmet while riding bikes, skateboards, scooters, and other devices.  Lawmakers completely removed the helmet provision, now making the bill a mere shadow of its former self.

The previous version of the bill would have given police the authority to approach a child, along with an adult accompanying the child, inform them of the helmet requirement, and hand them a brochure stating safety guidelines.  The updated version eliminates any requirement for juveniles to wear helmets, thereby eliminating any policing aspect.

The remaining portion of the bill now only requires the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of Public Safety, to provide schools with existing educational curriculum regarding the safe use of public streets and public places while riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter.

House Bill 1147, sponsored by Democratic lawmakers John Kefalas in the House and Bob Bacon in the Senate–both from Fort Collins, was twofold in its original purpose: reducing head injuries to children, and education.  The consequence of not wearing a helmet would have amounted to a friendly nudge from a police officer along with educational materials according to Kefalas.

“It’s kind of like restorative Justice.  A violation has occurred but we don’t want to punish—we want them to learn about safety,” said Kefalas last February, when his bill was closer to its original version and still in the House.

The helmet requirements and policing issues aren’t settled business, however.  HB1147 now heads back to the House for final approval.  The House will have the opportunity to accept or reject the Senate version and could, with cooperation from the Senate, restore the bill to its original form.