Public Act 097-0801
 
SB2839 EnrolledLRB097 17697 HEP 62911 b

    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended
by changing Section 4-1 as follows:
 
    (625 ILCS 45/4-1)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-1)
    Sec. 4-1. Personal flotation devices.
    A. No person may operate a watercraft unless at least one
U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD of the following types or their
equivalent is on board for each person: Type I, Type II or Type
III.
    B. No person may operate a personal watercraft or specialty
prop-craft unless each person aboard is wearing a Type I, Type
II, Type III or Type V PFD approved by the United States Coast
Guard.
    C. No person may operate a watercraft 16 feet or more in
length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one Type IV
U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD or its equivalent is on board in
addition to the PFD's required in paragraph A of this Section.
    D. A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V personal flotation
device may be carried in lieu of the Type I, II, III or IV
personal flotation device required in this Section, if the Type
V personal flotation device is approved for the activity in
which it is being used.
    E. When assisting a person on waterskis, aquaplane or
similar device, there must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD
on board the watercraft for each person being assisted or towed
or worn by the person being assisted or towed.
    F. No person may operate a watercraft unless each device
required by this Section is:
        1. Readily accessible;
        2. In serviceable condition;
        3. Of the appropriate size for the person for whom it
    is intended; and
        4. Legibly marked with the U.S. Coast Guard approval
    number.
    G. Approved personal flotation devices are defined as
follows:
        Type I - A Type I personal flotation device is an
    approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in
    the water from a face downward position to a vertical or
    slightly backward position and to have more than 20 pounds
    of buoyancy.
        Type II - A Type II personal flotation device is an
    approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in
    the water from a face downward position to a vertical or
    slightly backward position and to have at least 15 1/2
    pounds of buoyancy.
        Type III - A Type III personal flotation device is an
    approved device designed to keep a conscious person in a
    vertical or slightly backward position and to have at least
    15 1/2 pounds of buoyancy.
        Type IV - A Type IV personal flotation device is an
    approved device designed to be thrown to a person in the
    water and not worn. It is designed to have at least 16 1/2
    pounds of buoyancy.
        Type V - A Type V personal flotation device is an
    approved device for restricted use and is acceptable only
    when used in the activity for which it is approved.
    H. The provisions of subsections A through G of this
Section shall not apply to sailboards sailboats.
    I. No person may operate a watercraft under 26 feet in
length unless a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V personal
flotation device is being properly worn by each person under
the age of 13 on board the watercraft at all times in which the
watercraft is underway; however, this requirement shall not
apply to persons who are below decks or in totally enclosed
cabin spaces. The provisions of this subsection I shall not
apply to a person operating a watercraft on private property.
(Source: P.A. 90-411, eff. 1-1-98.)

Effective Date: 1/1/2013