SB-0281, As Passed Senate, June 8, 2011

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 281

     A bill to require the operators of bowling centers to give

certain notices to bowlers; and to grant immunity from civil

liability to operators of bowling centers.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the

"bowling center act".

     Sec. 2. As used in this act:

     (a) "Bowler" means a person in a bowling center for the

purpose of recreational or competitive bowling.

     (b) "Bowling center" means a structure that has an area

specifically designed to be used by the public for recreational or

competitive bowling.

     (c) "Bowling shoes" means shoes that are specifically designed

for the purpose of recreational or competitive bowling.

     (d) "Operator" means a person that owns, manages, controls,

directs, or has the responsibility of operating a bowling center.

     Sec. 3. An operator shall post a notice in a conspicuous place

near each entrance to and exit from a bowling center that reads as

follows:

     "Bowling shoes are specialized footwear and are not intended

to be worn outside a bowling center because the bowling shoes may

be affected by substances or materials such as snow, ice, rain,

moisture, food, or debris. Such substances or materials on bowling

shoes that have been worn outside a bowling center may cause the

person wearing the bowling shoes to slip, trip, stumble, or fall on

the floor or alley surfaces in the bowling center.".

     Sec. 4. (1) If an operator posts a notice as required by

section 3, the operator is not civilly liable for injuries to a

bowler resulting from a slip, trip, stumble, or fall inside the

bowling center substantially caused by a substance or material on

the bowler's bowling shoes that was acquired outside the bowling

center before the bowler entered or reentered the bowling center.

     (2) The protection from liability under this section does not

apply if the liability of the operator results from willful or

wanton misconduct or if the operator fails to maintain the premises

in a reasonably safe condition and the condition substantially

causes the injury to the bowler.

     Enacting section 1. This act applies only to a cause of action

that accrues on or after January 1, 2012.