Florida's governor has signed into law a bill making riding helmets compulsory for children under 16 riding in public areas.
Governor Charlie Crist put his signature to House Bill 169, known as "Nicole's Law".
It introduces safety standards to minimise the number of serious or fatal head injuries to Florida's youngsters suffered during equestrian activities and recreation.
"Today, I am proud to sign legislation that will help ensure the safety of Florida's children and prevent serious injuries that otherwise could have been prevented," said Crist.
"I applaud our legislature for taking action to protect Florida's future leaders," he said.
Nicole's Law is named after Nicole Hornstein, a 12-year-old girl from Loxahatchee who died after being thrown from a horse in June 2006. Crist went to her home community to sign the legislation into law.
The new law requires a child under age 16 to wear a helmet that meets the current standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials for protective headgear.
It applies to those aged 16 or younger who are:
- Riding on a public roadway or right-of-way.
- Riding on a public equestrian trail, public recreation trail, public park, public preserve or public school site.
- Riding on any other publicly owned or controlled property.
The law does not apply to children under 16 who are riding while:
- Practising for, riding to or from, or competing or performing in, shows or events such as rodeos and parades where helmets are not historically a part of the show or event.
- Riding on privately owned land, even if the land is occasionally separated by a public road or right-of-way that must be crossed.
- Engaged in an agricultural practice or pursuit.
Nicole's parents, Gary and Monique Hornstein, as well as two sisters, attended the bill signing ceremony.
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