Bill > H3736

This bill establishes a new chapter in the General Laws concerning the inspection of exercise equipment in health clubs, which are defined as facilities offering exercise equipment for physical fitness, conditioning, or well-being. The Commissioner of Public Safety, referred to as the "Commissioner," will oversee a system of inspections, assigning competent inspectors to ensure all exercise equipment, including items like treadmills and weights, is safe for use. Health club owners will be responsible for paying annual fees to cover the costs of these inspections and safety tests, with inspections occurring at least every six months. Inspectors will report any defective or unsafe equipment to the Commissioner and the health club owner, who must then remove or prohibit the use of such equipment, facing daily fines for non-compliance, capped at $5,000. The bill also creates a Board of Exercise Equipment Appeals, composed of the Commissioner or a designee and four appointed members with expertise in engineering, insurance, and equipment manufacturing, to hear appeals from health club owners regarding inspector determinations. This Board will conduct hearings and issue decisions within a specified timeframe, and its members will be compensated for their service. The Commissioner is also empowered to create necessary rules and regulations to implement these provisions.