|
House Bill 3838 |
House Author: Phillips |
|
Effective: See below |
Senate Sponsor: Hancock |
House Bill 3838 enacts Malorie's Law by amending the Transportation Code to prohibit the carrying of or riding by a passenger on any motorcycle that is not equipped with footrests and handholds for use by the passenger. The bill requires the motorcycle operator training and safety program to contain information regarding operating a motorcycle while carrying a passenger and authorizes, rather than requires, the program to include curricula developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The bill clarifies that the prohibition against a person offering training in motorcycle operation without an appropriate license or contract applies also with respect to conducting such training, makes a violation of that prohibition a Class B misdemeanor, and enhances the penalty for a subsequent conviction to a Class A misdemeanor. The bill requires notice and opportunity for a hearing on the denial, suspension, or cancellation of approval for a program sponsor to conduct or for an instructor to teach a program course to be given following, rather than prior to, denial, suspension, or cancellation of the approval. The bill also requires the Department of Public Safety to issue a Class M driver's license that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle if the motorcycle operator training course completed by the applicant is specific to such restricted operation. Effective January 1, 2015, the bill requires a motorcycle that is designed to carry more than one person to be equipped with footrests and handholds for use by the passenger. Except as otherwise noted, the bill takes effect September 1, 2013.