CHAPTER 768. CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN RODEOS
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 9. SAFETY
SUBTITLE A. PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 768. CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN RODEOS
Sec. 768.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Bull riding helmet" means a rodeo helmet that is designed
to provide substantial protection for a person's head and face
during bull riding.
(2) "Child" means a person under 18 years of age.
(3) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services.
(4) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission.
(5) "Protective vest" means protective clothing that covers a
person's chest and torso to prevent or mitigate injury to those
areas.
(6) "Rodeo" means an exhibition or competition, without regard
to whether the participants are compensated, involving activities
related to cowboy skills, including:
(A) riding a horse, with or without a saddle, with the goal of
remaining on the horse while it attempts to throw off the rider;
(B) riding a bull;
(C) roping an animal, including roping as part of a team;
(D) wrestling a steer; and
(E) riding a horse in a pattern around preset barrels or other
obstacles.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
868, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 768.002. PROTECTIVE GEAR REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN ENGAGING IN
CERTAIN RODEO ACTIVITIES. (a) A child may not engage in, and a
parent or legal guardian of the child may not knowingly or
recklessly permit the child to engage in, bull riding, including
engaging in bull riding outside a rodeo for the purpose of
practicing bull riding, unless the child is wearing a bull riding
helmet and a protective vest.
(b) To satisfy the requirements of this section, a helmet or
protective vest must meet the standards adopted under Section
768.004.
(c) In a cause of action in which damages are sought for
injuries or death suffered by a child in connection with bull
riding, the failure of the child or of the parent or legal
guardian of the child to comply with this chapter does not
constitute responsibility causing or contributing to the cause of
the child's injuries or death for purposes of Chapter 33, Civil
Practice and Remedies Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
868, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 768.003. RODEOS ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOL. (a) This section
applies only to a primary or secondary school that sponsors,
promotes, or otherwise is associated with a rodeo in which
children who attend the school are likely to participate.
(b) A primary or secondary school to which this section applies
shall, before the first rodeo associated with the school in each
school year, conduct a mandatory educational program on safety,
including the proper use of protective gear, for children
planning to participate in the rodeo. The educational program
may consist of an instructional video, subject to department
approval.
(c) A child may not participate in a rodeo associated with the
child's school during a school year unless the child has
completed the educational program under Subsection (b) not more
than one year before the first day of the rodeo.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
868, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Sec. 768.004. RULES. (a) The executive commissioner by rule
shall adopt standards for:
(1) bull riding helmets; and
(2) protective vests.
(b) For purposes of this section, the executive commissioner may
adopt standards established under federal law or adopted by a
federal agency or a nationally recognized organization.
(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules establishing
requirements for the educational program under Section 768.003.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
868, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.