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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting a child under the age of eight from being left unattended in a motor vehicle
Purpose
Provides that a person is guilty of leaving an unattended child in a motor vehicle if a child under the age of eight is left unsupervised in a motor vehicle when the conditions present a significant risk to the health and safety of the child.
Summary of provisions
Section one adds a new Section 1210-a to the vehicle and traffic law to include leaving a child under the age of eight inside a motor vehicle without the supervision of a person age twelve or older, under conditions which knowingly or recklessly present a significant risk to the health and safety of such child.
Section two sets the immediate effective date.
Justification
Between 1998 and 2004, 230 children have died of hyperthermia from being left in cars. In 2005, by mid-summer 19 deaths were recorded as a result of hyperthermia of children being left in cars. Studies indicate that in outside temperatures ranging from 72 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside of a vehicle rises approximately 19 degrees in the first ten minutes, 29 degrees after 20 minutes, 34 degrees after 30 minutes and 43 degrees after 60 minutes. In addition, it should be noted that cracking the windows had little effect on the car's inside temperature.
It is critically important that persons caring for young children are aware of the risk factors associated with leaving a child in a vehicle for even a short time on a hot day. Parents and guardians who knowingly or recklessly place children at significant risk by leaving them in a car for a period of time which compromises their health and safety should know that such acts will result in a charge of violating this section that carries the penalty of a misdemeanor.
Legislative history
2008: S.1093-A - Referred to Codes 2007: S.1093-A - Third Reading 2006: S.6289 - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.