745 ILCS 72/ Roller Skating Rink Safety Act.

(745 ILCS 72/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Roller Skating Rink Safety Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/5)

Sec. 5. Legislative findings and declarations. The General Assembly finds and declares that the recreational sport of roller skating is practiced by a large number of citizens of this State; roller skating is a wholesome and healthy family activity that should be encouraged; and the allocation of risks and costs of roller skating is an important matter of public policy.

The General Assembly further finds and declares that the owners of roller skating rinks face great difficulty in obtaining liability insurance coverage at an affordable cost and that the lack of affordable insurance coverage affects not only owners of roller skating rinks, but also patrons who may suffer personal injury or property damage as a result of accidents that occur on the premises of a roller skating rink. In order to make it more economically feasible for insurance companies to provide coverage to roller skating rinks at an affordable rate to the owners, occurrences resulting in liability to the owners should be more predictable by limiting the liability that may be incurred by the owners and encouraging the development and implementation of risk reduction techniques. This Act should be liberally construed to best carry out the purposes of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Operator" means a person or entity that owns, manages, controls, directs, or has operational responsibility for a roller skating rink.

"Roller skater" or "skater" means a person wearing roller skates while in a roller skating rink for the purpose of recreational or competitive roller skating. "Roller skater" or "skater" also includes any person in a roller skating rink who is an invitee, whether or not that person pays consideration.

"Roller skating rink" means a building, facility, or premises that provides an area specifically designed to be used by the public for recreational or competitive roller skating.

"Spectator" means a person who is present in a roller skating rink only for the purpose of observing recreational or competitive roller skating.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/15)

Sec. 15. Operator responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the operator to the extent practicable to:

(1) Post the duties of roller skaters and spectators and the duties and obligations of the operator as prescribed in this Act in conspicuous places in at least 3 locations in the roller skating rink.

(2) Comply with all roller skating rink safety standards published by the Roller Skating Rink Operators Association, including but not limited to the proper maintenance of roller skating equipment and roller skating surfaces.

(3) Maintain the stability and legibility of all signs, symbols, and posted notices required by this Act.

(4) When the rink is open for sessions, have at least one floor supervisor on duty for every 200 skaters.

(5) Maintain the skating surface in a reasonably safe condition and clean and inspect the skating surface before each session.

(6) Maintain in good condition the railings, kickboards, and walls surrounding the skating surface.

(7) In rinks with step-up or step-down skating surfaces, ensure that the covering on the riser is securely fastened.

(8) Install fire extinguishers and inspect fire extinguishers at recommended intervals.

(9) Inspect emergency lighting units periodically to insure the lights are in proper order.

(10) Keep exit lights and lights in service areas on when skating surface lights are turned off during special numbers.

(11) Check rental skates on a regular basis to insure the skates are in good mechanical condition.

(12) Comply with all applicable State and local safety codes.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/20)

Sec. 20. Skater responsibilities. It is the responsibility of each roller skater to:

(1) Maintain reasonable control of the skater's speed and course at all times.

(2) Heed all posted signs and warnings.

(3) Maintain a proper outlook to avoid other roller skaters and objects.

(4) Accept the responsibility for knowing the range of the skater's own ability to negotiate the intended direction of travel while on roller skates and to skate within the limits of that ability.

(5) Refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of the skater or any other person.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/25)

Sec. 25. Assumption of risk; collisions; injuries. Roller skaters and spectators are deemed to have knowledge of and to assume the inherent risks of roller skating. Those risks not otherwise attributable to an operator's breach of his or her duties as set forth in Section 15 include, but are not limited to, injuries that result from collisions or incidental contact with other roller skaters or spectators, injuries that result from falls caused by loss of balance, and injuries that involve structures such as support columns, walls, doors, lockers, benches, railings, and other properly placed structures within the building.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)

(745 ILCS 72/30)

Sec. 30. Bar of suit; complete defense. The assumption of risk set forth in Section 25 is a complete bar of suit and is a complete defense to a suit against an operator by a roller skater or spectator for injuries resulting from the assumed risks of skating unless the operator has violated his or her duties or responsibilities under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-37, eff. 1-1-96.)