{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-235.203","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 235.203","heading":"Flotation device for child under twelve on moving boat -- Exceptions.","body":"(1) All persons under twelve (12) years of age in an open boat or on an open deck of a\nvessel being used for recreational purposes on the waters of this state shall wear a\npersonal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard while the\nvessel is underway. Any personal flotation devices required by this section shall be\nin good and serviceable condition, appropriately sized, and properly worn by the\nperson. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in violation of this\nsubsection.\n(2) No boat or watercraft owner or operator shall permit a child under the age of twelve\n(12) years to violate subsection (1) of this section.\n(3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a child who is a passenger on a\ncommercial vessel licensed by the United States Coast Guard for the transportation\nof passengers for hire or to a toll ferry operating pursuant to a certificate of\nconvenience and necessity or a perpetual and irrevocable franchise operating\npursuant to KRS 280.010 to 280.110.\n(4) A cha rge under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be dismissed if the\ndefendant provides to the county attorney or the court proof that the person who was\nalleged to be under twelve (12) years of age was actually twelve (12) years of age or\nolder. If the information is provided to the county attorney and the county attorney\ndeems the proof sufficient, the county attorney shall seek dismissal of the charge\nand the defendant shall not be required to appear in court. If the information is\npresented in cour t and the court deems the proof sufficient, the court shall dismiss\nthe charge. In either case, court costs shall not be assessed.","path":["KRS Chapter 235"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=11066","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:52:49Z","sha256":"9aced1d5e519db4c9e398630652a560d4b2385f90371af74c3df26777145d4b9","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-235.200","next":"us-ky/krs-235.205"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}