Legislative intent.
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that although it
is a fun and exciting activity, skateboarding carries with it a serious
risk for injury with approximately 70,000 related visits to the emergency
department occurring every year.
This Legislature further finds and determines that a skater
who longboards is at a higher risk of sustaining head fractures, traumatic
brain injuries or intracranial hemorrhaging when compared to other
forms of skateboarding.
This Legislature also finds and determines that a properly fitted
multi-sport helmet meeting consumer product safety standards is an
essential protective equipment that should be worn when skateboarding.
This Legislature determines that it is the responsibility of
the County of Suffolk to protect the health and safety of its minor
skateboarders by requiring them to wear protective helmets.
Therefore, the purpose of this law is to clarify and liberally
define the term "skateboard" to also include all types of skateboards,
including but not limited to, longboard skateboards and cruiser skateboards
to ensure that helmets are required to be worn by all children ages
14 to 17 that are participating in any type of skateboarding activities
within Suffolk County.