Bill
S 2681
Establishes statewide safety, registration, and annual permit requirements, plus inspections, for BMX/motocross tracks in MA to protect riders, spectators, and youth.
Status: Returned to Senate
Introduced: August 2, 2025 (filed July 21, 2025)
Primary petitioners on bill text: Dylan A. Fernandes; Steven G. Xiarhos
Companion: H.6452; replaces SD 3078
Purpose
- Establish statewide minimum safety, registration, inspection, and operational standards for BMX (bicycle motocross) and motocross (off‑road motorcycle) tracks in Massachusetts. The act is designated “Colby’s Law.”
Key provisions
- Definitions: Establishes terms used in the Act (BMX track, motocross track, operator, participant).
- Registration & permits:
- All BMX and motocross tracks must register with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).
- Annual operating permits required; permits issued only after inspections confirm compliance with the Act’s safety standards.
- Design & maintenance standards (minimum requirements):
- Proper grading and surfacing to reduce hazards.
- Barriers and safety netting to protect spectators.
- Clearly marked participant and spectator areas.
- Emergency medical preparedness:
- On‑site first aid and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
- A certified medical professional present during events.
- Protocols for contacting emergency services.
- Mandatory signage listing track rules, safety requirements, and emergency contacts.
- Protective equipment & rider briefings:
- Mandatory helmets that meet U.S. CPSC standards for riders.
- For motocross riders: elbow and knee pads, gloves, and body armor required.
- Tracks must conduct safety briefings for new participants.
- Youth protections:
- Riders under age 18 require written parental/guardian consent.
- Special safety measures for youth (e.g., speed limits, restricted access to advanced courses).
- Insurance & liability:
- Operators must maintain liability insurance covering injuries and damages occurring on the premises (minimums not specified in bill).
- Enforcement & penalties:
- EOPSS authorized to inspect, issue fines, suspend operating permits, and otherwise enforce compliance.
- Fines for violations range from $500 to $5,000 depending on severity.
- Education & outreach:
- EOPSS to develop a statewide public awareness campaign on track safety, including educational materials and training programs.
Who would be affected
- Track operators and owners (private and public).
- Riders/participants and their families (especially minors).
- Event organizers, medical providers at events, insurers.
- Spectators and communities hosting tracks.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Bill text filed July 21, 2025; introduced/first referred in August 2025.
- Multiple committee referrals and print amendments (prints 2681A, 2681B).
- Legislative history entries indicate action in both chambers (passed and recommitted entries are recorded); current recorded status: Returned to Senate.
- Companion bill in the House: H.6452.
Notes and caveats
- Metadata accompanying the file contains some inconsistent entries (an alternate short title referencing a state police policy and an extensive list of federal senators as “sponsors”), which do not match the bill text provided. This summary relies on the bill text titled “An Act establishing safety standards for BMX bicycle and motocross tracks.”
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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