Malorie's LAW

Petition for Malorie’s Law

Malorie Elise Bullock, a 19 years of age Honor’s College student at Texas A&M University of Commerce, tragically lost her life April 8th 2010, while a passenger on a light weight motorcycle (crotch rocket). This petition is to help prevent further injury or death as a result of being a passenger on light weight motorcycles.

Riders and passengers of light weight motorcycles are required to obtain a permit for carrying a passenger or being a passenger on these motorcycles. Riders carrying passengers may only be experienced riders with the knowledge of changes and adjustments which are needed to carry passengers.

A knowledge written test and rider’s skills test will be required, with a passing score, to obtain a passenger permit.

Riders and passengers will be ticketed when either one or both do not have a permit for passengers while riding on the light weight motorcycles.

Malorie's Law

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

relating to the regulation of sport bikes and certain other mottorcycles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as Malorie'sLaw.

SECTION 2. Section 521.084, Transportation Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 521.084. CLASS M LICENSE. A Class M driver's license

authorizes the holder of the license to operate a motorcycle,

including a sport bike as defined by Section 541.201, or a moped.

SECTION 3. Section 541.201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (18-a) to read as follows:

(18-a) "Sport bike" means a motorcycle:

(A) that is optimized for speed, acceleration,

braking, and maneuverability on paved roads;

(B) that has a lightweight frame;

gas tank during operation; and

(D) that is not a touring, cruising, standard, or

dual-sport motorcycle.

SECTION 4. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,

is amended by adding Section 545.4161 to read as follows:

Sec. 545.4161. OPERATION OF SPORT BIKE. (a) In addition to the requirements and prohibitions

under Section 545.416, an

operator may not carry another person on a sport bike unless the

sport bike is designed to carry more than one person and:

(1) the operator:

(A) is at least 18 years of age; and

(B) has had a Class M license for at least two

years; or

(2) the other person:

(A) is at least 18 years of age and holds a Class

M license; or

(B) is a motorcycle operator training and safety

course instructor certified under Chapter 662.

(b) An operator of a sport bike shall ensure that a

passenger on the sport bike complies with all department

regulations relating to motorcycle safety.

SECTION 5. The heading to Subchapter M, Chapter 547,

Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER M. ADDITIONAL OR ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR

MOTORCYCLES, [AND] MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES, AND SPORT BIKES

SECTION 6. Subchapter M, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,

is amended by adding Section 547.803 to read as follows:

Sec. 547.803. SAFETY EQUIPMENT. If a motorcycle, including a sport bike, is designed to carry more than one person, the motorcycle must be equipped with foot pegs and handholds for use by a passenger on the motorcycle.

SECTION 7. Section 661.001(1), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(1) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle designed to

propel itself with not more than three wheels in contact with theground, and having a saddle for the use of the rider. The term includes a sport bike, as defined by Section 541.201. The term does not include a tractor or a three-wheeled vehicle equipped with a cab or occupant compartment, seat, and seat belt and designed to contain the operator in the cab or occupant compartment.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

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