Torts; creating Julie's Law; requiring the use of helmets for certain individuals engaging in certain equestrian activities. Effective date.
SB776, known as Julie’s Law, amends Oklahoma’s Livestock Activities Liability Limitation Act and adds a new helmet requirement for minors participating in certain equine activities. The bill updates statutory definitions for livestock activities, agritourism, equestrian facilities, equine activities, livestock professionals, sponsors, participants, and the inherent risks associated with livestock activities. It also clarifies when liability protections apply to sponsors, participants, and professionals involved in livestock-related events, training, boarding, inspections, and agritourism activities.
In addition to the liability revisions, the bill makes it unlawful for a person under 18 to engage in equine activities at an equestrian facility without wearing ASTM- and SEI-compliant protective headgear secured by a harness. That helmet requirement may be waived under existing statutory waiver procedures. The act is set to take effect November 1, 2025.
The bill would amend 76 O.S. 2021 Sections 50.2 and 50.3 and create a new Section 50.5 in Title 76. Its practical effect is to expand and clarify the scope of Oklahoma’s livestock liability protections while imposing a new safety mandate for minors in equine activities at equestrian facilities. It affects livestock activity sponsors, livestock professionals, participants, youth organizations, and owners/operators of equestrian facilities, while preserving existing exceptions for willful misconduct, intentional injury, faulty equipment, dangerous premises conditions, products liability, and certain workers’ compensation-covered employees.
The available context shows no recorded committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge support or opposition. Based on the bill’s caption and structure, it appears to combine a liability-limitation framework with a child-safety measure, suggesting a generally protective and industry-oriented approach. The absence of recorded votes or discussion snippets means sentiment cannot be measured directly from the provided materials.
The main policy tension in the bill is between liability protection for livestock and equine operators and increased safety obligations for youth participants. Supporters would likely emphasize clarifying liability rules for ranching, rodeo, agritourism, and youth livestock programs while adding a helmet requirement for minors. Potential critics could focus on the new mandate’s impact on parental choice, waiver procedures, or the administrative burden on equestrian facilities and event sponsors. Another possible point of contention is the bill’s broad liability shield, especially where it limits claims arising from inherent risks of livestock activities.