What's happening
This bill prohibits leaving children under ten unattended in motor vehicles under risky conditions, imposing fines for violations.
Why it matters
Addresses preventable harm. The bill specifically targets situations where leaving a child under ten in a vehicle could lead to serious injury or death—such as extreme heat, cold, or other health/safety hazards—by making these actions subject to fines.
Defines clear legal responsibility. By including parents, guardians, and anyone legally responsible for a child, the law clarifies who can be held accountable, reducing ambiguity in enforcement and encouraging more careful behavior.
Implements a progressive penalty system. Fines increase with repeated violations within 18 months, which is designed to deter repeated neglectful behavior rather than penalize one-time mistakes excessively.
Complements existing child welfare laws. The bill explicitly states it does not override other laws, meaning it works alongside broader child endangerment or neglect statutes, potentially leading to additional consequences in severe cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
No Kids Alone in Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
15 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by S2497
- Advanced to third reading cal.103
- Reported
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Kids Alone in Cars
Vetoed · Sponsor Timothy M. Kennedy
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1851
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 17, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI, BENEDETTO, GALEF, GUNTHER, ORTIZ, RIVERA, TITUS, ABBATE, STIRPE, JAFFEE, OTIS, ARROYO, MOSLEY, DAVILA, PICHARDO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, BLAKE, BRAUNSTEIN, COOK, HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to prohibiting a child less than ten years of age from being left unattended in a motor vehicle under conditions presenting substantial risk
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1210-a to read as follows:
§ 1210-a. Unattended child in a motor vehicle. 1. No parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child less than ten years old shall knowingly or recklessly, under conditions that present a substantial health or safety risk, leave such child unattended inside a motor vehicle. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to supersede the provisions of any other applicable section of law.
2. A violation of subdivision one of this section shall be a traffic infraction and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars upon conviction of a first violation; upon conviction of a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such violation shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars; upon conviction of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such violation shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01875-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.