Texas lawmaker files bill to regulate trampoline parks after Star-Telegram investigation

A North Texas lawmaker is pushing for legislation to regulate trampoline parks for safety following a Star-Telegram investigation in 2022 that found hundreds of injuries.

Rep. Chris Turner, an Arlington Democrat, on Monday filed two bills related to trampoline parks, which are neither inspected nor regulated in Texas. The Star-Telegram investigation published in February 2022 found nearly 500 reports of injuries at 21 trampoline parks in Dallas-Fort Worth since 2015. These were just the injuries that rose to the severity of needing a call for emergency medical treatment.

The Star-Telegram report also found that injuries, safety protocols and potential dangers at the popular indoor trampoline parks are not tracked. Texas does not have laws requiring parks to follow basic safety precautions or carry insurance.

Documented injuries range from minor sprains and bone fractures to more serious, sometimes debilitating trauma. As the family-friendly amusement businesses have grown in popularity in recent years, so too have the number of children and adults suffering sometimes gruesome damage to their feet, backs and heads, the Star-Telegram found.

Turner said he believes the majority of operators take safety obligations very seriously. Still, he said, the Star-Telegram’s reporting found injuries across the Metroplex. The potential for injuries — especially to children — merits the legislature stepping in and taking a look at regulations, Turner said.

“What we want to make certain with this legislation is that trampoline parks are safe,” Turner said.

At least 11 other states have regulations on the books for trampoline parks. Arizona’s legislation came about after the 2012 death of a 30-year-old man who did a backflip into a foam pit.

One bill proposed by Turner for Texas would require that trampoline parks be covered by insurance and be inspected at least once each year by an insurer. Trampoline parks — called “trampoline courts” in the legislation — are commercial facilities with multiple trampolines, that may have a foam pit for jumpers. The legislation makes an exception for gymnastic training facilities.

Centers would also need to keep records of injuries that require medical treatment or result in death, and file injury reports.

A city, county or state law enforcement official would be able to immediately prohibit operation of the park if the operator is unable to show proof that the park has insurance and has been inspected, or if the officer reasonably believes the requirements to operate haven’t been met or that the park is unsafe.

Those who violate the law could face a class B misdemeanor.

The other proposed bill has the same goal of regulating trampoline parks but would achieve that by putting the facilities in the same regulatory category as amusement rides.

Turner said Monday he wasn’t aware of specific opposition to the legislation. Just a fraction of bills that are filed ultimately become law.

But any bill that adds regulations can be an uphill challenge in the Legislature, Turner said. He’d expect there may be some opposition based on the idea of free enterprise.

“What I would just say is that while we are fortunate to live in a free market society, people have the right to expect that there’s some base level of safety in place, particularly when it involves kids.”

An industry membership trade group has established basic safety guidelines. According to its website, six trampoline parks in Texas are members. In other states, the group has worked with legislators on language in the regulations.

Steven Yeffa, chairman of the International Adventure and Trampoline Park Association, said the organization supports “smart legislation to ensure optimal safety for trampoline parks,” be it in Texas or elsewhere in the country.

Asked if Turner’s bills fall in that category of “smart legislation,” Yeffa said it’s hard to say because the exact standards for trampoline park inspections are unclear.

The group supports existing ASTM International standards for trampoline parks, which, according to a news release, include information about the design of trampoline parks, as well as the operation, maintenance and inspection of parks.