HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 1 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to safety standards for amusement 2
rides; providing a short title; amending s. 616.242, 3
F.S.; defining and redefining terms; requiring 4
permanent amusement rides operated for the first time 5
in this state after a specified date to have a ride 6
commissioning and certification report on file with 7
the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 8
within a specified timeframe; revising the application 9
requirements for permanent and temporary amusement 10
ride permits; exempting from permit requirements 11
temporary amusement rides that meet certain 12
conditions; revising the annual nondestructive testing 13
requirements for amusement rides; requiring nonvisual 14
nondestructive testing to be used in certain 15
circumstances; revising the affidavit requirements for 16
nondestructive testing; authorizing the department to 17
conduct unannounced inspections for specified 18
purposes; requiring the department to remove an 19
amusement ride from service and take appropriate 20
administrative actions under certain circumstances; 21
removing an exemption for temporary amusement ride 22
inspections; authorizing the department to conduct 23
certain inspections upon request; revising amusement 24
ride inspection standards; revising the reasons for 25
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 2 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
which the department is authorized to enter and 26
inspect amusement rides; re quiring the department to 27
prepare a written report of each investigation it 28
conducts; revising the circumstances under which the 29
owner or manager of an amusement ride is required to 30
report an accident and under which the department may 31
impound an amusement ride involved in an accident; 32
requiring daily owner or manager amusement ride 33
inspections to be recorded at the time of inspection; 34
requiring the department to establish by rule minimum 35
amusement ride training and retraining standards; 36
revising training requirements; revising circumstances 37
under which an amusement ride may be considered an 38
immediate serious danger to the public ; providing an 39
effective date. 40
41
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2022, Tyre Sampson, a 14 -year-old boy 42
visiting this state from Missouri, fell to his death from the 43
Eagle Drop Tower in Orlando, and 44
WHEREAS, after the accident, Department of Agriculture and 45
Consumer Services inspectors performed multiple onsite 46
inspections of the tower and its components and contracted with 47
a third party to conduct a failure analysis assessment of the 48
tower, and 49
WHEREAS, the investigators concluded that changes made to 50
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 3 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the ride by the ride operators after initial installation 51
contributed to Tyre Sampson's death, and 52
WHEREAS, the proposed changes made by th is act are 53
necessary to address the safety problems discovered during the 54
department's investigation, NOW, THEREFORE, 55
56
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 57
58
Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Tyre Sampson 59
Act." 60
Section 2. Present paragraphs (j) through (q) and (r) 61
through (u) of subsection (3) of section 616.242, Florida 62
Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (k) through (r) and (t) 63
through (w), respectively, new paragraphs (j) and (s) are added 64
to that subsection and a new paragraph (g) is added to 65
subsection (6) of that section, and paragraph (h) of subsection 66
(3), paragraph (a) of subsection (4), paragraph (b) of 67
subsection (5), paragraphs (b) and (f) of subsection (6), 68
subsection (7), paragraph (a) of subsection (8) , paragraph (b) 69
of subsection (11), subsections (12) and (14), paragraphs (a) 70
and (c) of subsection (15), and subsections (16), (17), and (19) 71
of that section are amended, to read: 72
616.242 Safety standards for amusement rides. — 73
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 74
(h) "Major modification" means any change in the 75
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 4 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
structural characteristics, or operational characteristics , or 76
safety systems of an amusement ride which will alter its 77
performance or settings from those that specified in the 78
manufacturer's design criteria or operator's manual or as 79
certified in the ride commissioning and certification report . 80
(j) "Nationally recognized testing laboratory" means an 81
independent laboratory recognized by the United States 82
Occupational Safety and Health Administration which tests 83
products to applicable product safety standards in order to 84
provide independent testing and certification of devices that 85
may pose a risk to the user. 86
(s) "Ride commissioning and certification report" means a 87
commissioning and certification report by the ride manufacturer 88
or a nationally recognized testing laboratory which certifies 89
that the ride has been designed, manufactured, installed, and 90
tested in conformance with the manufacturer's design criteria, 91
standards referenced in this section, and rules adopted by the 92
department. 93
(4) ADOPTION OF STANDARDS; RULES. — 94
(a) The department shall adopt by rule standards for 95
amusement rides. The rules must: 96
1. Be which are the same as or similar to the following 97
national standards: 98
a.1. ASTM International Committee F24 Standards on 99
Amusement Rides and Devices. 100
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 5 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
b.2. The National Electric Code Handbook. 101
c.3. National Fire Protection Association standards. 102
2. Require that each permanent amusement ride operated f or 103
the first time in this state after July 1, 2023, have a ride 104
commissioning and certification report on file with the 105
department before the department conducts the permanent 106
amusement ride's first inspection and issues a permit for the 107
permanent amusement ride. 108
(5) PERMANENT AMUSEMENT RIDE ANNUAL PERMIT. — 109
(b) To apply for an annual permit, an owner or manager 110
must submit to the department a written application on a form 111
prescribed by department rule, which must include all of the 112
following: 113
1. The legal name, address, e-mail address, and primary 114
place of business of the owner or manager , as applicable. 115
2. A description, manufacturer's name, serial number, 116
model number, and, if previously assigned, the United States 117
Amusement Identification Number of the amusement ride. 118
3. A valid certificate of insurance for each amusement 119
ride. 120
4. If required under subsection (7), An annual affidavit 121
of compliance and nondestructive testing certifying that the 122
amusement ride was inspected in person by the affiant and that 123
the amusement ride is in general conformance with the 124
requirements of this section and all applicable department 125
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 6 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
rules. The affidavit must have been executed by a professional 126
engineer or a qualified inspector within the last calendar year. 127
5. The owner or manager shall, At no cost to the 128
department, provide the department an electronic copy of the 129
manufacturer's current recommended operating instructions, the 130
owner's operating fact sheet, a longitudinal record regarding 131
accidents involving rides he or she previously owned or 132
operated, and any written bulletins concerning the safety, 133
operation, or maintenance of the amusement ride. 134
6. Beginning July 1, 2023, a ride commissioning and 135
certification report for each permanent amusement r ide operated 136
for the first time in this state after July 1, 2023. 137
(6) TEMPORARY AMUSEMENT RIDE PERMIT. — 138
(b) To apply for a permit, an owner or manager must submit 139
to the department a written application on a form prescribed by 140
department rule. The written application, which must include all 141
of the following: 142
1. The legal name, address, e-mail address, and primary 143
place of business of the owner or manager , as applicable. 144
2. A description, manufacturer's name, serial number, 145
model number, and, if previously assigned, the United States 146
Amusement Identification Number of the amusement ride. 147
3. A valid certificate of insurance for each amusement 148
ride. 149
4. If required under subsection (7), An affidavit of 150
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 7 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
compliance and nondestructive testing certifying that the 151
amusement ride was inspected in person by the affiant and that 152
the amusement ride is in general conformance with the 153
requirements of this section and all applicable department 154
rules. The affidavit must be executed by a professional engineer 155
or a qualified inspector. 156
5. The owner or manager shall, At no cost to the 157
department, provide the department an electronic copy of the 158
manufacturer's current recommended operating instructions, the 159
operating fact sheet, a longitudinal record regarding accide nts 160
involving rides he or she previously owned or operated, and any 161
written bulletins concerning the safety, operation, or 162
maintenance of the amusement ride. 163
(f) A temporary amusement ride is exempt from the required 164
permit if it is: 165
1. Used at a private event and was issued a permit within 166
the preceding 6 months; or 167
2. A kiddie ride used at a public event, provided that not 168
more than three amusement rides are at the event, the kiddie 169
rides at the event do not exceed a capacity of 12 persons, and 170
the kiddie ride passed a department inspection and was issued a 171
permit within the preceding 6 months. Unless the capacity of the 172
ride has been determined and specified by the manufacturer, the 173
department shall determine the capacity of the kiddie ride by 174
rule. An owner or a manager of a kiddie ride operating under 175
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 8 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
this exemption is responsible for ensuring that not more than 176
three amusement rides are operated at the event. 177
(g) The permit must be displayed in an accessible location 178
on the amusement ride. 179
(7) NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING; ANNUAL AFFIDAVIT; EXEMPTIONS. — 180
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), An owner or 181
manager may not operate an amusement ride unless the owner or 182
manager at all times has a current affidavit of nondestructive 183
testing from a professional engineer or qualified inspector that 184
the amusement ride has undergone nondestructive testi ng to 185
verify the integrity of all components for metal fatigue at 186
least annually. The nondestructive testing for metal fatigue 187
must be conducted more often than annually if required by any 188
rule adopted under this section, by the manufacturer of the 189
amusement ride, or by the professional engineer or qualified 190
inspector executing the affidavit of nondestructive testing. The 191
nondestructive testing for metal fatigue must consist at least 192
of visual nondestructive testing, as well as nonvisual 193
nondestructive testing for metal fatigue, which must be 194
conducted on the components of the amusement ride as required by 195
any rule adopted under this section, by the manufacturer of the 196
amusement ride, or by the professional engineer or qualified 197
inspector executing the affid avit of nondestructive testing. 198
(b) Nonvisual nondestructive testing must be used to 199
verify the integrity of components that, due to their design, 200
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 9 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
location, installation, or a combination thereof, cannot be 201
adequately evaluated by other means. 202
(c) Nondestructive testing testings must be performed by a 203
technician who meets the requirements prescribed by department 204
rule. 205
(d)(c) An affidavit of nondestructive testing , on a form 206
prescribed by department rule, must state, at a minimum, all of 207
the following: 208
1. That the amusement ride was inspected in person by the 209
affiant. 210
2. That all of the manufacturer's nondestructive testing 211
requirements and recommendations are current. 212
3. That the nondestructive testing was performed by a 213
qualified nondestructive testing technician. 214
4. The components of the amusement ride for which the 215
manufacturer has recommended or required nondestructive testing. 216
5. The type of nondestructive testing required or 217
recommended by the manufacturer. 218
6. The frequency of the non destructive testing required or 219
recommended by the manufacturer. 220
7. The components of the amusement ride for which the 221
affiant, in addition to the manufacturer's requirements and 222
recommendations, has recommended or required nondestructive 223
testing. 224
8. The type of nondestructive testing required or 225
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 10 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
recommended by the affiant in addition to the manufacturer's 226
requirements and recommendations. If the affiant does not 227
require or recommend additional nondestructive testing, the 228
affiant must affirm that the ma nufacturer's requirements are 229
sufficient for the safe operation of the amusement ride . 230
9. The frequency of the nondestructive testing as required 231
or recommended by the affiant. 232
10. That visual nondestructive testing is adequate for the 233
amusement ride to be in general conformance with the 234
requirements of this section and all applicable rules, only if 235
only visual nondestructive testing is required or recommended by 236
the manufacturer or the affiant. 237
11. That the amusement ride is in conformance with the 238
requirements of this section and all applicable department 239
rules. 240
12. Whether the amusement ride has undergone a major 241
modification and, if so, the name of the manager, owner, or 242
operator who authorized the modification and the date the 243
modification took place. 244
13. That the amusement ride and its components are in 245
conformance with the service life specified by the manufacturer. 246
14. That the amusement ride is in conformance with all of 247
the manufacturer's required or recommended bulletins. 248
(e)(d) Nonvisual nondestructive testing is not required 249
for fun houses, houses of mirrors, haunted houses, mazes, wave 250
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 11 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
pools, wave-making devices, kiddie pools, slides that are fully 251
supported by an earthen mound, nonmotorized playground equipment 252
that requires a mana ger, or lazy-river-type nonmotorized 253
floating carriers propelled by water. 254
(8) DEPARTMENT INSPECTIONS. — 255
(a) In order to obtain an annual or a temporary amusement 256
ride permit, an amusement ride must be inspected by the 257
department. 258
1. The department may conduct unannounced inspections to 259
observe operations and ensure the amusement ride is being 260
conducted pursuant to proper procedures, to verify that on -duty 261
employees have received proper training, and to observe the 262
amusement ride in operation in orde r to detect unsafe ride 263
conditions that may have occurred following the last inspection. 264
If unsafe conditions are found, the inspector must immediately 265
remove the amusement ride from service to ensure patron safety 266
and follow up with the appropriate admini strative actions A 267
temporary amusement ride is exempt from the required inspection 268
if it is: 269
a. Used at a private event; 270
b. A simulator, the capacity of which does not exceed 16 271
persons; or 272
c. A kiddie ride used at a public event, provided that not 273
more than three amusement rides are at the event, the kiddie 274
rides at the event do not exceed a capacity of 12 persons, and 275
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 12 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the kiddie ride passed a department inspection and was issued a 276
permit within the preceding 6 months. The capacity of a kiddie 277
ride shall be determined by department rule, unless the capacity 278
of the ride has been determined and specified by the 279
manufacturer. Any owner or manager of a kiddie ride operating 280
under this exemption is responsible for ensuring that not more 281
than three amusement rides are operated at the event . 282
2. The department shall inspect permanent amusement rides 283
6 months after the issuance of the annual permit. The required 284
inspection may be waived for a permanent amusement ride if it 285
was inspected and certified by an ac credited trade organization 286
as defined by department rule. 287
(11) EXEMPTIONS.— 288
(b) All of the following are exempt from subsections (5), 289
(6), (8), and (9), but may be inspected by the department upon 290
request, following a complaint or pursuant to an accid ent that 291
is required to be reported under subsection (15), and such 292
exemption may be removed if the exempted amusement ride is found 293
to have been operating in a manner or circumstance that presents 294
a risk or resulted in a serious injury to patrons: 295
1. Museums or other institutions principally devoted to 296
the exhibition of products of agriculture, industry, education, 297
science, religion, or the arts. 298
2. Conventions or trade shows for the sale or exhibit of 299
amusement rides if there are a minimum of 15 amu sement rides on 300
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 13 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
display or exhibition and if any operation of such amusement 301
rides is limited to the registered attendees of the convention 302
or trade show. 303
3. Nonmotorized playground equipment that is not required 304
to have a manager. 305
4. Coin-actuated amusement rides designed to be operated 306
by depositing coins, tokens, credit cards, debit cards, bills, 307
or other cash money and which are not required to have a 308
manager, and which have a capacity of six persons or less. 309
5. Facilities described in s. 549.09(1 )(a) when such 310
facilities are operating cars, trucks, or motorcycles only. 311
6. Battery-powered cars or other vehicles that are 312
designed to be operated by children 7 years of age or under and 313
that cannot exceed a speed of 4 miles per hour. 314
7. Mechanically driven vehicles that pull train cars, 315
carts, wagons, or other similar vehicles, that are not confined 316
to a metal track or confined to an area but are steered by an 317
operator and do not exceed a speed of 4 miles per hour. 318
8. A water-related amusement rid e operated by a business 319
licensed under chapter 509 if the water -related amusement ride 320
is an incidental amenity and the operating business is not 321
primarily engaged in providing amusement, pleasure, thrills, or 322
excitement and does not offer day rates. 323
9. An amusement ride at a private, membership -only 324
facility if the amusement ride is an incidental amenity and the 325
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 14 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
facility is not open to the general public; is not primarily 326
engaged in providing amusement, pleasure, thrills, or 327
excitement; and does not off er day rates. 328
10. A nonprofit permanent facility registered under 329
chapter 496 which is not open to the general public. 330
(12) INSPECTION STANDARDS. —An amusement ride must conform 331
to all of the following standards: 332
(a) All mechanical, structural, and el ectrical components 333
that affect patron safety must be in good working order. 334
(b) All control devices, speed -limiting devices, brakes, 335
and safety equipment must be in good working order. 336
(c) Parts must be properly aligned and may not be bent, 337
distorted, cut, or otherwise injured to force a fit. Parts 338
requiring lubrication must be lubricated in the course of 339
assembly. Fastening and locking devices must be installed when 340
required for safe operation. 341
(d) Sensors and other limiting devices related to patro n 342
safety restraint systems may not be adjusted beyond the 343
prescribed tolerances determined by the manufacturer or by a 344
licensed professional engineer if the manufacturer is no longer 345
in business. 346
(e) The proper positioning and measurements related to 347
patron safety restraint systems must be provided to the 348
department before the time of inspection. The specifications may 349
include redundant restraints, such as seat belts, and must be 350
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 15 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
approved by the ride manufacturer or by a licensed professional 351
engineer if the manufacturer is no longer in business. 352
(f) An amusement ride must be placed or secured with 353
blocking, cribbing, outriggers, guys, or other means so as to be 354
stable under all operating conditions. 355
(g)(e) Areas in which patrons may be endangered by t he 356
operation of an amusement ride must be fenced, barricaded, or 357
otherwise effectively guarded against inadvertent contact. 358
(h)(f) Machinery used in or with an amusement ride must be 359
enclosed, barricaded, or otherwise effectively guarded against 360
inadvertent contact. 361
(i)(g) An amusement ride powered so as to be capable of 362
exceeding its maximum safe operating speed must be provided with 363
a maximum-speed-limiting device. 364
(j)(h) The interior and exterior parts of all patron -365
carrying amusement rides with which a patron may come in contact 366
must be smooth and rounded and free from sharp, rough, or 367
splintered edges and corners, and from projecting studs, bolts, 368
and screws or other p rojections that might cause injury. 369
(k)(i) Signs that advise or warn patrons of age 370
restrictions, size restrictions, health restrictions, weight 371
limitations, or any other special consideration or use 372
restrictions, or lack thereof, required or recommended for the 373
amusement ride by the manufacturer must be prominently displayed 374
at the patron entrance of each amusement ride. If such rider 375
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 16 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
restrictions are not provided by the manufacturer, the owner or 376
manager must provide the department with documentation fr om the 377
manufacturer or a licensed professional engineer stating that 378
such rider restrictions are not necessary for the safe operation 379
of the amusement ride. 380
(l)(j) All amusement rides presented for inspection as 381
ready for operation or in operation must c omply with this 382
section and department rule. 383
(m)(k) A sign containing the toll -free number of the 384
department and informing patrons that they may contact the 385
department with complaints or concerns regarding the safe 386
operation of amusement rides must be po sted in a manner 387
conspicuous to the public at each entrance of an a temporary 388
amusement ride facility. The department shall prescribe by rule 389
specifications for such signs. 390
(14) ENTRY FOR INSPECTION OR INVESTIGATION. — 391
(a) Upon presentation of identific ation, an authorized 392
employee of the department may enter unannounced and inspect 393
amusement rides at any time and in a reasonable manner and has 394
the right to question any owner , operator, or manager; to 395
inspect, investigate, photograph, and sample all pert inent 396
places, areas, and devices and review required documentation ; 397
and to conduct or have conducted all appropriate tests , 398
including nondestructive testing. The department may impose fees 399
for unannounced inspections and recover the cost of tests 400
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 17 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
authorized by this subsection. 401
(b) The department shall prepare a written report of each 402
investigation it conducts. 403
(15) REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS AND DEFECTS; 404
IMPOUNDMENTS.— 405
(a) Any accident of which the owner or manager has 406
knowledge or, through the exercise of reasonable diligence 407
should have knowledge, and for which a patron seeks treatment at 408
is transported to a hospital or an urgent care center , as those 409
terms are defined in chapter 395, must be reported by the owner 410
or manager to the department by telephone within 4 hours after 411
the occurrence of the accident or after notification by the 412
patron and must be followed up by a written report to the 413
department within 24 hours after the occurrence of the accident 414
or after notification by the patron . 415
(c) The department may impound an amusement ride involved 416
in an accident for which a patron seeks treatment at is 417
transported to a hospital or an urgent care center as those 418
terms are defined in chapter 395 or which has a mechanical, 419
structural, or electrical defect affecting patron safety; may 420
impound any other amusement ride of a similar make and model or 421
with similar operating characteristics ; and may perform all 422
necessary tests to determine the cause of the accident or the 423
mechanical, structural, or electrical defect or to determine the 424
safety of the amusement ride and any other amusement ride of a 425
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 18 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
similar make and model or with similar operating 426
characteristics. The cost of impounding the amusement ride and 427
performing the necessary tests must be borne by the owner of the 428
amusement ride. 429
(16) INSPECTION BY OWNER OR MANAGER. —Before opening on 430
each day of operation and before any inspection by the 431
department, the owner or manager of an amusement ride must 432
inspect and test each amusement ride to ensure compliance with 433
this section. Each inspection must be recorded at the time of 434
inspection on a form prescribed by department rule and signed by 435
the person who conducted the inspection. In lieu of the form 436
prescribed by department rule, the owner or manager may request 437
approval of an alternative form that includes, at a minimum, the 438
information required on the form prescribed by department rule. 439
Inspection records of the last 14 daily in spections must be kept 440
on site by the owner or manager and made immediately available 441
to the department upon request. 442
(17) TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES. — 443
(a) The department shall establish by rule minimum 444
training and retraining standards and the frequency of employee 445
training for all amusement rides. 446
(b) The owner or manager of an amusement ride shall 447
maintain a record of employee training for each employee 448
authorized to operate, assemble, disassemble, transport, or 449
conduct maintenance on an amusement ride on a form prescribed by 450
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 19 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
department rule. In lieu of the form prescribed by department 451
rule, the owner or manager may request approval of an 452
alternative form that includes, at a minimum, the information 453
required on the form prescribed by department rule. Th e training 454
record must be kept on site by the owner or manager and made 455
immediately available to the department upon request. Training 456
may not be conducted when an amusement ride is open to the 457
public unless the training is conducted under the supervision of 458
an employee who is trained in the operation of that ride. The 459
owner or manager shall immediately document all training 460
following each training session and certify that each employee 461
is trained, as required by this section and any rules adopted 462
thereunder, on the amusement ride for which the employee is 463
responsible. 464
(19) IMMEDIATE FINAL ORDERS. — 465
(a) An amusement ride that fails to meet the requirements 466
of this section or pass the inspections required by this 467
section; that is involved in an accident fo r which a patron 468
seeks treatment at is transported to a hospital or an urgent 469
care center as those terms are defined in chapter 395; or that 470
has a mechanical, structural, or electrical defect that affects 471
patron safety may be considered an immediate seriou s danger to 472
the public health, safety, and welfare and, upon issuance of an 473
immediate final order prohibiting patron use of the ride, may 474
not be operated for patron use until it has passed a subsequent 475
HB 1241 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1241-00
Page 20 of 20
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
inspection by or at the direction of the department. 476
(b) An amusement ride of a similar make and model or with 477
similar operating characteristics to an amusement ride described 478
in paragraph (a) may be considered an immediate serious danger 479
to the public health, safety, and welfare and, upon issuance of 480
an immediate final order prohibiting patron use of the ride, may 481
not be operated for patron use until it has passed a subsequent 482
inspection by or at the direction of the department. 483
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 484