Researcher: JSB Page 1 4/7/21
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 186
AN ACT ALLOWING PERSONS SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR
OLDER TO OPERATE RIDES AT AMUSEMENT PARKS.
SUMMARY
This bill lowers the minimum age for amusement park ride or
device operators from 18 to 16, which is currently set in regulation. The
bill excludes from this lowered age requirement operators at
“carnivals,” which the bill defines as transient enterprises that offer
portable mechanical amusement rides or devices for public amusement
and entertainment, but not those that lease inflatable devices for
private residential use.
Under the bill, if an operator is under age 18, he or she must work in
an area that is supervised by someone who is (1) at least age 18 and (2)
trained in normal operating and emergency procedures.
Under the bill, a “ride or device operator” is someone in charge of a
mechanical amusement ride or device who operates it and has direct
control of (1) starting or stopping it or (2) its speed. Under existing
regulations, operators must be (1) properly trained, familiar with, and
adequately supervised to ensure safe operation and (2) trained in
normal and emergency shut-down procedures (Conn. Agencies Regs. §
29-136-7a).
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
COMMITTEE ACTION
General Law Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 15 Nay 3 (03/23/2021)