Sacramento, CA – The California state legislature sent two ski safety bills to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday that, if signed by the governor, would be the strictest in the U.S.nOn Wednesday, by a vote of 22-11 the State Senate passed SB880, sponsored by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and modeled after the state’s bicycle helmet law, to require all skiers and snowboarders under age 18 to wear a helmet. Also on Wednesday the State Assembly voted on AB1652 which requires the state’s ski resorts to prepare and publish an annual safety plan. It passed by a margin of 51-22. AB1652 was authored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento).

Supporters claim that the two proposed laws will avoid unnecessary injuries and deaths on the slopes. “California’s ski slopes are perhaps the last area of recreation where we do not have basic safety standards in place for children,” Yee said in a prepared statement. “Despite repeated warnings from public health experts, professional athletes, and ski resorts, each winter brings news of hundreds of unnecessary tragedies for the failure to wear a helmet. With this legislative package, we can significantly reduce instances of traumatic brain injury or death for such a vulnerable population.”

Opponents indicate that the two bills create an unnecessary intrusion upon personal freedoms. Violations of SB880 would carry a fine of not more than $25.

Earlier this week the New Jersey State Senate passed a similar ski helmet bill by an overwhelming vote of 33-2. It now heads for a vote in the State Assembly.