Current Status Bill Number:3532 Ratification Number:329 Act Number:293 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19950208 Primary Sponsor:Wright All Sponsors:Wright, H. Brown, Cato, Cooper, Fulmer, Harvin, Harwell, Keegan, Knotts, Koon, Wilkins and A. Young Drafted Document Number:GJK\21339SD.95 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19960403 Date of Last Amendment:19960326 Governor's Action:U Became law without signature of Governor Date of Governor's Action:19960507 Subject:Roller skating liability immunity
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
------ 19960515 Act No. A293
------ 19960507 Unsigned, became law without
signature of Governor
------ 19960430 Ratified R329
House 19960403 Concurred in Senate amendment,
enrolled for ratification
Senate 19960326 Amended, read third time,
returned to House with amendment
Senate 19960319 Read second time, notice of
general amendments, carrying over
all amendments to third reading
Senate 19960306 Committee report: Favorable 11 SJ
Senate 19960123 Introduced, read first time, 11 SJ
referred to Committee
House 19960118 Read third time, sent to Senate
House 19960117 Amended, read second time
House 19960117 Objection by Representative Cotty
Fleming
Inabinett
House 19960116 Debate adjourned until
Wednesday, 19960117
House 19960110 Committee report: Favorable with 25 HJ
amendment
House 19950208 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A293, R329, H3532)
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 52, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO AMUSEMENTS, GAMES, AND ATHLETIC CONTESTS BY ADDING CHAPTER 19 SO AS TO ESTABLISH IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR INJURIES OR DEATH TO A PERSON ENGAGED IN A SKATING ACTIVITY CAUSED BY AN INHERENT RISK OF ICE OR ROLLER SKATING.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Ice or roller skating liability immunity
SECTION 1. Title 52 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 52-19-10. As used in this chapter:
(1) `Inherent risk of skating' means those dangers or risks which are an integral part of ice or roller skating including, but not limited to, injuries which result from contact with other skaters or spectators, injuries which result from falls caused by loss of balance, and injuries which involve objects or artificial structures properly within the intended path of travel of the skater.
(2) `Operator' means a person or entity who owns, manages, controls or directs, or who has operational responsibility for an ice or roller skating rink.
(3) `Skater' means a person wearing ice skates while in an ice skating rink or roller skates in a roller skating rink for the purpose of recreational or competitive skating without regard to whether the person paid consideration.
(4) `Skating rink' means a building, facility, or premises which provides an area specifically designed to be used by the public for recreational or competitive ice or roller skating.
(5) `Spectator' means an invitee who is present in a skating rink but is not wearing ice or roller skates.
Section 52-19-20. It is the responsibility and duty of the operator to the extent practicable to:
(1) post in a conspicuous place the duties of skaters and spectators and the duties, obligations, and liabilities of the operator as prescribed in this chapter;
(2) maintain the stability and legibility of all signs, symbols, and posted notices required by this chapter;
(3) have at least one floor supervisor on duty for approximately every two hundred skaters when the skating rink is open for sessions. The floor supervisor is not required to wear skates, and an operator is considered to be a floor supervisor;
(4) maintain the skating surface in a reasonably safe condition and clean and inspect the skating surface before each session;
(5) maintain the railings, kickboards, and walls surrounding the skating surface in good condition;
(6) make certain that in skating rinks with step-up or step-down skating surfaces that the covering on the riser and tread is securely fastened;
(7) inspect emergency lighting units periodically and maintain the emergency lighting units in proper working order;
(8) inspect rental skates on a regular basis and maintain the skates in good mechanical condition; and
(9) comply with all applicable state and local fire and safety codes.
Section 52-19-30. Each skater must:
(1) maintain reasonable control of his speed and course at all times to the extent he is able;
(2) comply with all properly posted signs and warnings and follow the reasonable instructions of the operator;
(3) wear skates only in areas designated by the operator;
(4) maintain a proper lookout to avoid other skaters and objects;
(5) accept responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate the intended direction of travel while on skates and to skate within the limits of that ability; and
(6) refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of himself or any other person.
Section 52-19-40. Each spectator must:
(1) comply with all properly posted signs and warnings and follow the reasonable instructions of the operator;
(2) maintain a proper lookout to avoid skaters; and
(3) refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of himself, any other spectator, or skater.
Section 52-19-50. (A) Except as provided in subsection (B), an operator is not liable for an injury to or the death of a skater or spectator resulting from an inherent risk of skating, and no skater, skater's representative, spectator, or spectator's representative may make a claim against, maintain an action against, or recover from an operator, for injury, loss, damage, or death of the skater or spectator resulting from an inherent risk of skating.
(B) Nothing in subsection (A) prevents or limits the liability of an operator to a skater, spectator, or their representative if the operator:
(1) breached his duty as provided in Section 52-19-20 and the breach is the proximate cause of the injury or death;
(2) committed an act or omission that constitutes wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of the skater or spectator and that act or omission caused the injury; or
(3) intentionally injured the skater or spectator.
Section 52-19-60. (A) An operator must post and maintain signs placed in clearly visible locations within the skating rink that contain the following warning notice:
Under South Carolina law, an operator is not liable for an injury to or the death of a skater or spectator resulting from an inherent risk of skating, pursuant to Chapter 19 of Title 52, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976. `Inherent risk of skating' means those dangers or risks which are an integral part of ice or roller skating including, but not limited to, injuries which result from incidental contact with other skaters or spectators, injuries which result from falls caused by loss of balance, and injuries which involve objects or artificial structures properly within the intended path of travel of the skater. In a skating facility, the decisions to wear a helmet or other safety equipment normally associated with outdoor skating is the responsibility of the skater and not the operator.
(B) Failure to comply with the requirements concerning warning signs and notices provided in this section prevents an operator from invoking the privileges of immunity provided by this chapter."
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies only to causes of action arising on or after this act's effective date.
Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 5/7/96.