SACRAMENTO -- Children who use skateboards, skates, or scooters would be required to wear helmets under legislation approved by the state Senate Thursday.

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The Senate approved the measure, Senate Bill 1924, with a 22-8 vote, sending it to Gov. Gray Davis.

Under the bill by Sen. Jack O'Connell, D-Santa Barbara, everyone under 18 who is roller skating, skateboarding, or operating nonmotorized scooters in public would have to wear the helmet.

Violations could result in $25 fines, although a court could dismiss a first offense. The money would go toward safety education and purchasing helmets for low-income youths.

Nationwide, 86,800 skateboarders were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2000, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Almost 100,000 scooter riders were treated last year.

California already requires helmets for bicycle riders under 18.