Some Kansas cities closing water slides in response to law

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some Kansas cities are closing water slides at pools and aquatic centers this summer at least until confusion over a new state law that increased regulation of amusement park rides is cleared up.

The law, which took effect July 1, was passed this year after a state lawmaker's son, Caleb Schwab, died last summer on the Verruckt water slide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas. It imposes new inspection and permit requirements on amusement rides, although a portion of the law that imposes criminal penalties for operating a ride without a license was delayed until Jan. 1 to give ride operators time to comply with the new regulations.

The law defines a water slide as an amusement ride if it is "a slide that is at least 15 feet in height and that uses water to propel the patron through the ride," The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/2tUaAj1).

"The legislation is kind of confusing to people" because it isn't clear whether the water on some of the slides propels people forward, said Erik Sartorius, executive director of the League of Kansas Municipalities.

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