Senate panel rejects cycle helmet repeal
Published Thursday, June 11, 2009
BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal’s support for a repeal of Louisiana’s motorcycle helmet law for adults couldn’t save the proposal, which was rejected Wednesday for a second year by the Senate’s health committee.
The committee shelved the bill by Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, without objection, siding with opponents who said the health concerns trump arguments of personal liberty.
Morris’ bill, which easily passed in the House, would have allowed riders 21 and older to drive without a helmet as long as they have health insurance and a certain amount of liability insurance. Morris said 30 states don’t require motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
Speaking for the Jindal administration, the governor’s executive counsel Jimmy Faircloth compared motorcycle riding to skydiving, mountain climbing or hunting — activities he said involve well-known risks that adults accept when taking part.
‘‘The governor supports this bill on the grounds of personal liberty and freedom of choice,’’ Faircloth said.
Senators said the helmet requirement was similar to the state’s seat belt law, designed to protect people from avoidable injuries.
On the Net:
House Bill 639 can be viewed at http://legis.state.la.us