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Bill

A 3993

Prohibits discrimination through the use of clinical algorithms

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phara Souffrant Forrest

Requires all riders of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in New Jersey to wear a properly fitted helmet meeting standard C39:4-10.1, including riders in restraining tow seat

REFERRED TO INSURANCE
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Bill Summary · A 3993

Summary of New Jersey Bill A 3993

Note on title vs. content: The bill’s metadata lists a title related to discrimination and clinical algorithms, but the introduced text and statements of purpose pertain to helmet requirements for low-speed electric bicycles and scooters. The content analyzed here reflects the introduced version focused on helmet safety for e-bikes/e-scooters, with a companion bill S 3584.

Overview

  • Bill: A 3993
  • Status: Referred to Insurance (as of 2025-01-30); previously referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness
  • Introduced: March 7, 2024
  • Primary sponsor: Phara Souffrant Forrest
  • Companion: S 3584

Purpose and intent

  • The bill acknowledges the rising use of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters and the associated risk of head injuries.
  • It seeks to improve rider safety by mandating helmet use for operators and riders of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters, including situations where the rider is in a restraining seat attached to and towed by the device.
  • It aligns helmet requirements with established helmet standards to reduce head injury severity in crashes.

Key provisions

  • Section 1a-b (Findings and helmet requirement)

    • Recognizes increasing popularity of low-speed electric bicycles/scooters and the corresponding rise in injuries.
    • States that crash testing indicates a higher risk of serious head injury for these devices, and identifies absence of mandatory helmet use as a contributing factor.
    • Requirement: A person shall not operate or ride a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter unless wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting the standards in C.39:4-10.1 (as per P.L.1991, c.465).
    • Scope includes riders using a restraining seat that is attached to and towed by the device.

  • Section 1c (Penalties)

    • First offense: Fine up to $25.
    • Subsequent offenses: Fine up to $100.

  • Section 2 (Effective date)

    • The act takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.

Affected parties and scope

  • Who is affected: Operators and riders of low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters in New Jersey, including individuals riding in restraining seats towed by these devices.
  • Devices covered: Low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters as defined by relevant statute (R.S.39:1-1).

Legislative history and related actions

  • 2024-03-07: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
  • 2025-01-30: Referred to Insurance (listed twice in actions).
  • Related bill: S 3584 (companion bill).

Practical and policy implications

  • Public safety impact: By mandating helmets, the bill aims to reduce head injuries among riders of low-speed e-bikes and scooters.
  • Enforcement: Codes reference a specific helmet standard (C39:4-10.1) and prescribes modest fines, creating a straightforward enforcement mechanism.
  • Implementation: The four-month-delay after enactment provides a lead time for awareness and compliance.

Notes

  • The bill’s stated purpose centers on helmet safety and injury prevention, not on discrimination or clinical algorithms, despite the provided title. If analyzing for a broader policy discussion, consider also reviewing the companion S 3584 for additional context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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