Legislature Considers Changing Motorcycle Helmet Law

A bill given preliminary approval in the House could lead to motorcyclists being allowed to ride without wearing helmets. The bill applies only to bikers 21 years of age and older. One lawmaker suggests requiring those who ride without helmets to carry $10-million in insurance in an effort to protect taxpayers from the huge medical bills piled up by head trauma. But that idea was shelved in favor of one put forward by State Representative Gary Marble of Neosho. The House has approved his amendment, which would deny state assistance to any motorcyclist not wearing a helmet.