It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 31-19 of the General Laws entitled "Operation of Bicycles" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 31-19-2.1. Helmets required on bicycle operators and passengers ages eight (8) and younger. -- ADD} {ADD (a) Any person eight (8) years of age or younger who is operating or who is a passenger on a bicycle on a public highway, bicycle path, or on any other public right of way shall wear a helmet. Said helmet shall fit the person's head, shall be secured to the person's head by straps while the bicycle is being operated, and shall meet the standards for helmets established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4) or subsequent standards or the Snell Memorial Foundation's nineteen hundred and eighty-four (1984) standard for use in bicycling or subsequent standards, or standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or subsequent standards, or standards established by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or subsequent standards. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 1996.