California committee passes helmet mandate for skiers and snowboarders, ski resort rules

Calif. panel passes strict ski, snowboard rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A legislative committee in California has advanced a bill that would require minors to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding and impose safety rules on ski resorts in the state.

If eventually signed into law, the helmet ban would be the most restrictive in the nation, mandating them for everyone under the age of 18.

The bill by Democratic state Assemblyman Dave Jones of Sacramento also would require ski resorts to file annual safety plans and issue monthly reports about injuries and deaths.

Those requirements have been opposed by some in the industry, who call the measure extreme and unnecessary.

The legislation was heard Tuesday in the Assembly Health Committee, where some lawmakers said they were concerned that it would hurt the ski industry.