A bill that would add SCUBA diving to a list of "hazardous recreational activities" -- which immunizes public entities and employers from liability when people engage in risky activities -- passed the state Assembly and will now go to the Senate for consideration.
In Assembly Bill 634, authored by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey and supported by CJAC, SCUBA diving would join a host of other activities in Government Code section 831.7, including diving, animal riding, bike racing, kayaking, surfing, waterskiing, white water rafting, rock climbing, and hang gliding, among others.
In a letter to the California Assembly, Kim Stone, Vice President-Legislation for CJAC, noted: "SCUBA diving certainly fits with those other kinds of hazardous activities. State and local governments should not face liability for risks assumed by people who engage in hazardous activities."