Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/a4366/amendment/a
Timestamp: 2019-02-23 11:30:51
Document Index: 67715944

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 18', '§18', '§  2', '§ 18', '§  18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§  18', '§ 18', '§ 18']

NY State Assembly Bill A4366A
assembly Bill A4366A
Establishes parameters of civil liability for persons involved in equine activities
Get Status Alerts for A4366A
Mar 08, 2018 print number 4366a
Mar 08, 2018 amend and recommit to judiciary
Feb 02, 2017 referred to judiciary
A4366 (ACTIVE) - Details
Add Art 18-C §§18-401 - 18-405, Gen Ob L
2009-2010: A6032, S2412
2011-2012: A10014, S795
2013-2014: A1513, S4962
2015-2016: A1476, S1823
A4366 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Enacts the "equine activity safety code act"; provides that an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, or any other person, which shall include a corporation or partnership, shall not be liable for an injury to or the death of a participant resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, except under certain circumstances.
A4366 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
Introduced  by  M.  of  A. MAGEE, JENNE, WOERNER, MURRAY, BARCLAY, FAHY,
STIRPE, FINCH, CASTORINA -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M.  of  A.  BLANKEN-
BUSH, BUTLER, HAWLEY, LUPARDO, McLAUGHLIN -- read once and referred to
ity of persons involved in equine activities
horseback riding is both a major recreational sport and a major industry
within the state of New York. The legislature further  finds:  (1)  that
horseback  riding,  like  many  other  sports,  contains  inherent risks
including, but not limited to, the risks of personal  injury,  death  or
property  damage,  which  may  be caused by the propensity of equines to
behave in ways that are not always controllable by the participant;  the
unpredictability  of  an  equine's  reaction  to  such things as sounds,
sudden movements, and unfamiliar  objects,  persons  or  other  animals;
surface  or  subsurface  conditions;  collisions  with  other equines or
objects; and the potential of  a  participant  to  act  in  a  negligent
manner;  (2)  that it is appropriate, as well as in the public interest,
to establish certain duties  and  obligations  of  equine  sponsors  and
equine  professionals  relative  to  the  safety of the horseback riding
public; and (3) that it is  also  necessary  and  appropriate  that  the
public become apprised of and understand the risks inherent in the sport
of horseback riding so that they may make an informed decision of wheth-
er  or not to participate in horseback riding notwithstanding the risks.
Therefore, the purpose and intent of this act is to establish guidelines
for the conduct of the participants, sponsors and professionals involved
in the sport of horseback riding; to educate the public as to the inher-
ent risks in the sport of horseback riding so as to minimize the risk of
injury to persons engaged in the sport of horseback riding;  to  promote
LBD08774-01-7
A. 4366                             2
safety  in  the horseback riding industry; and to preserve the financial
sustainability of the equine sponsors and equine  professionals  engaged
in the horseback riding industry.
§  2.  The  general obligations law is amended by adding a new article
THE "EQUINE ACTIVITY SAFETY CODE ACT".
§ 18-302.  DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE  FOLLOW-
ING WORDS OR PHRASES SHALL BE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1.  "ENGAGES  IN AN EQUINE ACTIVITY" MEANS RIDING, TRAINING, ASSISTING
IN THE VETERINARY TREATMENT OF, DRIVING OR BEING  A  PASSENGER  UPON  AN
EQUINE,  WHETHER MOUNTED OR UNMOUNTED, OR VISITING OR TOURING OR UTILIZ-
ING AN EQUINE FACILITY AS PART OF AN ORGANIZED EVENT OR ACTIVITY, OR ANY
PERSON ASSISTING A PARTICIPANT OR SHOW MANAGEMENT. THE TERM "ENGAGES  IN
AN  EQUINE  ACTIVITY"  SHALL  NOT INCLUDE BEING A SPECTATOR AT AN EQUINE
ACTIVITY, EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE THE SPECTATOR PLACES HIMSELF OR  HERSELF
IN  AN  UNAUTHORIZED AREA OR IN IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY TO THE EQUINE ACTIV-
(A) EQUINE SHOWS, FAIRS, COMPETITIONS, PERFORMANCES  OR  PARADES  THAT
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DRESSAGE, HUNTER AND JUMPER  HORSE  SHOWS,
DRIVING,  PULLING,  CUTTING,  POLO,  STEEPLECHASING, ENGLISH AND WESTERN
(D) RIDING, INSPECTING OR EVALUATING OF AN EQUINE BELONGING TO ANOTHER
BY A PURCHASER OR AGENT, WHETHER OR NOT  THE  OWNER  HAS  RECEIVED  SOME
OR  IS PERMITTING A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF THE EQUINE TO RIDE, INSPECT
OR EVALUATE THE EQUINE;
INFORMAL OR IMPROMPTU THAT ARE SPONSORED BY AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR;
4. "EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL, GROUP,  CLUB,  PART-
NERSHIP,  LIMITED  LIABILITY  COMPANY OR CORPORATION, WHETHER OR NOT THE
SPONSOR IS OPERATING  FOR  PROFIT  OR  NOT-FOR-PROFIT,  WHICH  SPONSORS,
ORGANIZES  OR  PROVIDES THE FACILITIES FOR AN EQUINE ACTIVITY, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PONY CLUBS, 4-H CLUBS,  HUNT  CLUBS,  RIDING  CLUBS,
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE-SPONSORED CLASSES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, THERAPEU-
TIC  RIDING PROGRAMS, STABLE AND FARM OWNERS AND OPERATORS, INSTRUCTORS,
AND PROMOTERS OF EQUINE FACILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO  FARMS,
STABLES,  CLUBHOUSES,  PONY  RIDE STRINGS, FAIRS AND ARENAS AT WHICH THE
A. 4366                             3
(B) THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF AN EQUINE'S REACTION  TO  SUCH  THINGS  AS
SOUNDS,  SUDDEN  MOVEMENT,  AND  UNFAMILIAR  OBJECTS,  PERSONS  OR OTHER
ING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ROCKS, FOREST GROWTH, DEBRIS, BRANCHES, TREES,
(E) THE POTENTIAL OF A PARTICIPANT TO ACT IN A NEGLIGENT  MANNER  THAT
MAY  CONTRIBUTE  TO INJURY TO THE PARTICIPANT OR OTHERS, SUCH AS FAILING
TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE ANIMAL OR NOT  ACTING  WITHIN  HIS  OR  HER
7.  "PARTICIPANT"  MEANS  ANY PERSON, WHETHER AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL,
WHO ENGAGES IN AN EQUINE ACTIVITY, WHETHER OR  NOT  A  FEE  IS  PAID  TO
§  18-303.  LIABILITY  OF  PERSONS INVOLVED IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES.   1.
NOTHING IN SECTION 18-304 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL  PREVENT  OR  LIMIT  THE
LIABILITY  OF  AN  EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR OR AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL, IF
(A) PROVIDED EQUIPMENT OR TACK, KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE  KNOWN  THAT  SUCH
EQUIPMENT  OR  TACK  WAS FAULTY, AND THE EQUIPMENT OR TACK WAS FAULTY TO
THE EXTENT THAT IT CAUSED THE INJURY;
(B) PROVIDED THE EQUINE AND FAILED  TO  MAKE  REASONABLE  AND  PRUDENT
TATIONS OF HIS OR HER ABILITY;
(C)  OWNS,  LEASES,  RENTS,  HAS  AUTHORIZED USE OF OR IS OTHERWISE IN
LAWFUL POSSESSION AND CONTROL OF THE LAND OR FACILITIES UPON  WHICH  THE
PARTICIPANT  SUSTAINED  INJURIES BECAUSE OF A DANGEROUS LATENT CONDITION
OR EQUINE PROFESSIONAL, AND FOR WHICH WARNING SIGNS, PURSUANT TO SECTION
18-305 OF THIS ARTICLE, HAVE NOT BEEN CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED;
(D) COMMITS AN ACT OF OMISSION  THAT  CONSTITUTES  WILLFUL  OR  WANTON
DISREGARD  FOR  THE  SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANT, AND THAT ACT OF OMISSION
CAUSED THE INJURY; OR
2. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE HORSE RACING  ACTIVITY  AUTHOR-
IZED  PURSUANT  TO ARTICLE TWO, THREE OR FOUR OF THE RACING, PARI-MUTUEL
§ 18-304. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN  SUBDIVI-
SION  TWO OF SECTION 18-303 OF THIS ARTICLE, AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR,
AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL OR ANY OTHER PERSON, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A CORPO-
RATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR PARTNERSHIP, SHALL  NOT  BE  LIABLE
FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM THE INHER-
ENT  RISKS  OF  EQUINE ACTIVITIES AND, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION
TWO OF SECTION 18-303 OF THIS ARTICLE, NO PARTICIPANT NOR  PARTICIPANT'S
A. 4366                             4
REPRESENTATIVE SHALL MAKE ANY CLAIM AGAINST, MAINTAIN AN ACTION AGAINST,
OR  RECOVER  FROM  AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL OR
ANY OTHER PERSON FOR INJURY, LOSS, DAMAGE OR DEATH  OF  THE  PARTICIPANT
RESULTING FROM ANY OF THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.
2.  NOTHING  IN  THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  LIMIT  THE  APPLICATION  OF THE
§ 18-305. POSTING AND NOTIFICATION.    1.  EVERY  EQUINE  PROFESSIONAL
IN  SUBDIVISION  TWO  OF  THIS  SECTION. SUCH SIGNS SHALL BE PLACED IN A
CLEARLY VISIBLE LOCATION IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE  EQUINE  ACTIVITY.  THE
ON  THE  SIGN  IN BLACK LETTERS, WITH EACH LETTER TO BE A MINIMUM OF ONE
SIONAL FOR THE PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES,  INSTRUCTION  OR  THE
RENTAL  OF  EQUIPMENT  OR TACK OR AN EQUINE TO A PARTICIPANT, WHETHER OR
NOT THE CONTRACT INVOLVES EQUINE ACTIVITIES ON OR OFF  THE  LOCATION  OR
SITE  OF  THE  EQUINE PROFESSIONAL'S BUSINESS, SHALL CONTAIN, IN CLEARLY
READABLE PRINT, THE WARNING NOTICE SPECIFIED IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF  THIS
2.  THE  SIGNS  AND  CONTRACTS  DESCRIBED  IN  SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
UNDER NEW YORK LAW, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL OR EQUINE ACTIVITY  SPONSOR
IS  NOT  LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE
ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM  THE  INHERENT  RISKS  OF  EQUINE  ACTIVITIES,
A4366A (ACTIVE) - Details
A4366A (ACTIVE) - Summary
A4366A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
STIRPE, FINCH, CASTORINA, GARBARINO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of  A.
BLANKENBUSH,  BUTLER, HAWLEY, LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary -- recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary in
within  the  state  of New York. The legislature further finds: (1) that
horseback riding,  like  many  other  sports,  contains  inherent  risks
including,  but  not  limited to, the risks of personal injury, death or
property damage, which may be caused by the  propensity  of  equines  to
behave  in ways that are not always controllable by the participant; the
unpredictability of an equine's  reaction  to  such  things  as  sounds,
sudden  movements,  and  unfamiliar  objects,  persons or other animals;
surface or subsurface  conditions;  collisions  with  other  equines  or
objects;  and  the  potential  of  a  participant  to act in a negligent
manner; (2) that it is appropriate, as well as in the  public  interest,
to  establish  certain  duties  and  obligations  of equine sponsors and
equine professionals relative to the  safety  of  the  horseback  riding
public;  and  (3)  that  it  is  also necessary and appropriate that the
er or not to participate in horseback riding notwithstanding the  risks.
LBD08774-03-8
A. 4366--A                          2
injury  to  persons engaged in the sport of horseback riding; to promote
18-C to read as follows:
ARTICLE 18-C
SECTION 18-401. SHORT TITLE.
18-402. DEFINITIONS.
18-403. LIABILITY OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES.
18-404. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
18-405. POSTING AND NOTIFICATION.
§ 18-401. SHORT TITLE. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS
§ 18-402.  DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE  FOLLOW-
A. 4366--A                          3
§  18-403.  LIABILITY  OF  PERSONS INVOLVED IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES.   1.
NOTHING IN SECTION 18-404 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL  PREVENT  OR  LIMIT  THE
18-405 OF THIS ARTICLE, HAVE NOT BEEN CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED;
§ 18-404. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN  SUBDIVI-
SION  TWO OF SECTION 18-403 OF THIS ARTICLE, AN EQUINE ACTIVITY SPONSOR,
A. 4366--A                          4
TWO OF SECTION 18-403 OF THIS ARTICLE, NO PARTICIPANT NOR  PARTICIPANT'S
§ 18-405. POSTING AND NOTIFICATION.    1.  EVERY  EQUINE  PROFESSIONAL
PURSUANT TO SECTION 18-404 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.