Requires a warning instruction by entities which manufacture, assemble and sell roller skates and skate boards

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to notice requirements in the manufacture, assembling and sale of roller skates and skate boards

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to protect skateboarders and roller skaters by requiring a warning label.to be printed on the box the item is sold in or affixed to the item.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one adds a news section, 391-q, to the general business law which defines roller skate, skate board, and contains the required warning notice.

Section 2 of this bill states, no person, firm, corporation or other. entity which manufactures, assembles, sells or offers to distribute or does distribute within the State of New York these items unless a warning label is either affixed to the box or attached to the stake board/roller skate.

Justification

This legislation responds to the large number of injuries related to use of skate boards and roller skates. The United States Consumer Product Safety commission (CPSC) warns consumers that in-line skating can be a dangerous sport if appropriate safety gear is not used. A majority of the injuries were related to one's wrists, arms, and legs. Moreover, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an estimated 17.7 million youth under the age of eighteen participate in in-line skating, rollerskating and skateboarding.

Over the past several years, recreational skateboarding has seen an increase in popularity. In 1998, an estimated 5.8 million children Under the age of eighteen in the United States participated in skate boarding. Skateboarding injuries account for an estimated 50,000 hospital visits each year according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, among children and teenagers in the United States, 1500 were hospitalized due to injuries that arose from skateboarding. According to the CPSC, six out of every ten skateboard injuries occur with children under the age of fifteen. sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions are the most common skateboarding injuries.

Appropriate protective gear is essential for safety when skating and skateboarding. Protective gear includes, wrist guards, knee pads, gloves and elbow pads have been known to prevent injuries. These protective devices are designed to absorb the impact of a fall, avoid gravel burns and scrapes as well as fractured and broken bones. This legislation will significantly reduce the number of injuries if protective gear is worn thereby decreasing the likelihood of hospital visits and its associated medical expenses.

Prior legislative history

This legislation was first introduced in 1997.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after enactment.