By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Several water slides in Kansas are closed, including those in Russell, after a new state law became effective July 1. The Hays city attorney has been reviewing whether the Hays Aquatic Park is affected.

Water slides at least 15 feet in height that use water to propel the patron through the ride are considered an amusement ride, as defined in the new law. They now require inspections and a state operator’s permit from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL).

“Our slide is not affected by it for various reasons,” John Bird told city commissioners Thursday night. “The law is not intended to outlaw our kind of slide. Just to be safe, I’m going to recommend we go through the inspection process, but we don’t need to shut it down or anything like that,” Bird said.

Water slides are required to meet ASTM standards and receive written certification by a qualified inspector, acknowledged by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) or other nationally recognized third party training organizations, prior to applying for a KDOL permit to operate the slide.

On June 23, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill delaying a provision that creates criminal penalties for operating a ride without a license until Jan. 1, 2018, and prohibits the Department of Labor from enforcing penalties until new rules are published. The department had been concerned some parks wouldn’t be able to comply with the new tougher standards by July 1.

The law is in response to the death of state representative Scott Schwab’s 10-year-old son, Caleb, last summer at Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City.