| 1 | 1 | | 87R210 ADM-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Ortega H.B. No. 205 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to safety requirements for amusement ride operators. |
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| 8 | 8 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 9 | 9 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2151, Occupations Code, is |
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| 10 | 10 | | amended by adding Section 2151.1013 to read as follows: |
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| 11 | 11 | | Sec. 2151.1013. RIDE OPERATOR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. (a) In |
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| 12 | 12 | | this section: |
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| 13 | 13 | | (1) "Dispatcher" means a ride operator stationed at |
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| 14 | 14 | | the top of an elevated waterslide amusement ride to maintain order, |
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| 15 | 15 | | direct patrons departing the top of the slide, and ensure patrons |
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| 16 | 16 | | begin the ride safely. |
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| 17 | 17 | | (2) "Ride operator" means a person who directly |
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| 18 | 18 | | controls or has the duty to directly control the operation of an |
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| 19 | 19 | | amusement ride. The term does not include a certified lifeguard, |
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| 20 | 20 | | other than a certified lifeguard working as a dispatcher. |
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| 21 | 21 | | (b) A ride operator must be: |
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| 22 | 22 | | (1) at least 16 years of age; and |
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| 23 | 23 | | (2) trained in the proper use and operation of the |
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| 24 | 24 | | amusement ride the person is operating. |
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| 25 | 25 | | (c) A ride operator may not simultaneously operate more than |
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| 26 | 26 | | one amusement ride unless the operator is a dispatcher for adjacent |
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| 27 | 27 | | or proximate elevated waterslide amusement rides. |
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| 28 | 28 | | (d) A ride operator may not operate an amusement ride if the |
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| 29 | 29 | | operator's operation of the ride constitutes an offense under |
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| 30 | 30 | | Section 49.065, Penal Code. |
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| 31 | 31 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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