N.J. Stat. tit. 5, ch. 14

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-1 Short title

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New Jersey Roller Skating Rink Safety and Fair Liability Act." L.1991,c.28,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-2 Findings, declarations

a. The Legislature finds and declares that the recreational sport of roller skating is practiced by a large number of citizens of this State; provides a wholesome and healthy family activity which should be encouraged, and attracts to this State a large number of nonresidents, significantly contributing to the economy of this State. Therefore, the allocation of the risks and costs of roller skating is an important matter of public policy. b. The Legislature finds and declares that roller skating rink owners face great difficulty in obtaining liability insurance coverage, and that when such insurance coverage is available, drastic increases in the cost of the insurance have taken place and many roller skating rink owners are no longer able to afford it. This lack of insurance coverage adversely affects not only the roller skating rink owners themselves, but also patrons who may suffer personal injury and property damage as a result of accidents which occur on the premises of the roller skating rink. In order to make it economically feasible for insurance companies to provide coverage to roller skating rinks, the incidence of liability should be more predictable. That predictability may be achieved by defining the limits of the liabilities of roller skating rink operators in order to encourage the development and implementation of risk reduction techniques. L.1991,c.28,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-3 Definitions

As used in this act: a. "Operator" means a person or entity who owns, manages, controls or directs or who has operational responsibility for a roller skating rink. b. "Roller skater" means a person wearing roller skates while in a roller skating rink for the purpose of recreational or competitive roller skating. Roller skater also includes any person in such roller skating rink who is an invitee, whether or not said person pays consideration. c. "Roller skating rink" means a building, facility or premises which provides an area specifically designed to be used by the public for recreational or competitive roller skating. d. "Spectator" means a person who is present in a roller skating rink only for the purpose of observing recreational or competitive roller skating. L.1991,c.28,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-4 Responsibilities of operator

It shall be the responsibility of the operator to the extent practicable to: a. Post the duties of roller skaters and spectators and the duties, obligations and liabilities of the operator as prescribed in this act, in conspicuous places in at least three locations in the roller skating rink; b. Maintain the stability and legibility of all signs, symbols and posted notices required by this act; c. When the rink is open for sessions, have at least one floor guard on duty for every approximately 200 skaters; d. Maintain the skating surface in reasonably safe condition and clean and inspect the skating surface before each session; e. Maintain the railings, kickboards and wall surrounding the skating surface in good condition; f. In rinks with step-up or step-down skating surfaces, insure that the covering on the riser is securely fastened; g. Install fire extinguishers and inspect fire extinguishers at recommended intervals; h. Provide reasonable security in parking areas during operational hours; i. Inspect emergency lighting units periodically to insure the lights are in proper order; j. Keep exit lights and lights in service areas on when skating surface lights are turned off during special numbers; k. Check rental skates on a regular basis to insure the skates are in good mechanical condition; l. Prohibit the sale or use of alcoholic beverages on the premises; and m. Comply with all applicable State and local safety codes. L.1991,c.28,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-5 Responsibilities of roller skater

Each roller skater shall: a. Maintain reasonable control of his speed and course at all times; b. Heed all posted signs and warnings; c. Maintain a proper outlook to avoid other roller skaters and objects; d. Accept the responsibility for knowing the range of his own ability to negotiate the intended direction of travel while on roller skates and to skate within the limits of that ability; and e. Refrain from acting in a manner which may cause or contribute to the injury of himself or any other person. L.1991,c.28,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-6 Risks of roller skating

Roller skaters and spectators are deemed to have knowledge of and to assume the inherent risks of roller skating, insofar as those risks are obvious and necessary. These risks include, but are not limited to, injuries which result from incidental contact with other roller skaters or spectators, injuries which result from falls caused by loss of balance, and injuries which involve objects or artificial structures properly within the intended path of travel of the roller skater, which are not otherwise attributable to a rink operator's breach of his duties as set forth in section 4 of this act. L.1991,c.28,s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 5:14-7 Failure to adhere to duties, defense against suit

The assumption of risk set forth in section 6 of this act shall be a complete bar of suit and shall serve as a complete defense to a suit against an operator by a roller skater or spectator for injuries resulting from the assumed risks, notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1973, c.146 (C.2A:15-5.1 et seq.), relating to comparative negligence, unless an operator has violated his duties or responsibilities under this act, in which case the provisions of P.L.1973, c.146 shall apply. Failure to adhere to the duties set out in sections 5 and 6 of this act shall bar suit against an operator to compensate for injuries resulting from roller skating activities, where such failure is found to be a contributory factor in the resulting injury, unless the operator has violated his duties or responsibilities under the act, in which case the provisions of P.L.1973, c.146 shall apply. L.1991,c.28,s.7.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026