Pennsylvania HB 1809: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special vehicles and pedestrians, further providing for protective equipment for motorcycle riders; and imposing penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2224
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1809
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GUZMAN, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, BOROWSKI, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, VENKAT, OTTEN, SAMUELSON, K.HARRIS AND DOUGHERTY,
AUGUST 18, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, AUGUST 19, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in special vehicles and pedestrians, further
providing for protective equipment for motorcycle riders; and
imposing penalties.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Motorcycle crashes continue to result in preventable
fatalities and traumatic brain injuries.
(2) States with universal helmet laws report
significantly lower rates of motorcycle-related deaths and
public health costs.
(3) A consistent, Statewide helmet mandate will simplify
enforcement and better protect all road users.
(4) Aligning Pennsylvania law with national best
practices will improve public health outcomes and reduce the
financial burden on the health care system and taxpayers.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3525 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
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Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
§ 3525. Protective equipment for motorcycle riders.
(a) Protective headgear.--[Except as provided in subsection
(d), no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a
motor-driven cycle (other than a motorized pedalcycle) unless he
is wearing] Each person operating or riding as a passenger on a
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall wear protective headgear
which complies with standards established by the department.
[(b) Eye-protective devices.--No person shall operate or
ride upon a motorcycle (other than a motorized pedalcycle or a
three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab) unless
he is wearing an eye-protective device of a type approved by the
department.
(c) Approval of equipment.--The department may approve or
disapprove protective headgear and eye-protective devices
required under this section and may issue and enforce
regulations establishing standards and specifications for the
approval of the headgear and devices. The department shall
publish lists of all protective headgear and eye-protective
devices by name and type which have been approved.
(d) Exception.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not
apply to the following:
(1) The operator or any occupant of a three-wheeled
motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab.
(2) A person 21 years of age or older who has been
licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full
calendar years.
(3) A person 21 years of age or older who has completed
a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the department
or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
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(4) The passenger of a person exempt under this
subsection if the passenger is 21 years of age or older.]
(e) Penalties.--A person who violates this section:
(1) Shall pay a fine of $100 for a first offense.
(2) Shall pay a fine of $200 for a second or subsequent
violation.
(3) Shall not receive any penalty points for a violation
of this section.
(f) Applicability.--This section shall apply to each
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, including three-wheeled
motorcycles, unless fully enclosed, regardless of operator age,
experience or licensing.
Section 2. All acts and parts of acts are repealed insofar
as they are inconsistent with the amendment of 75 Pa.C.S. §
3525.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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