Office of State Senator Speier
Room 2032, State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

For Immediate Release:                                                        Contact: Manny Hernandez     916/ 445-0503
October 15, 2001                                                                                   or    Gary Gartner      415/ 557-7857

Speier Bill to Prevent Injuries to Kids
Signed by Governor

"Kaitlyn's Law" to Stem Unnecessary Deaths From
Children Being Left Unattended in Motor Vehicles

Governor Davis has signed into law Senate Bill 255, "Kaitlyn's Law", by Senator Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco / San Mateo). The new law is aimed at reducing deaths and injuries sustained by children left unattended in vehicles. The Governor signed the Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle Act on Friday, October 12. It is Chapter 855 of 2001.

"In the last 5 years, 27 children have died in California as a result of being left unattended in motor vehicles. A car should never be used as a babysitter for small children. In even moderate weather conditions, a car can reach a temperature of 108º after ten minutes - turning the car into a death trap," said Senator Speier.

SB 255 authorizes a $100 fine to a person responsible for a child 6 years or younger who leaves that child unattended in a vehicle if the child is placed at a significant safety risk, or the vehicle's engine is left running or the vehicle's keys are left in the ignition. The bill sets aside 70% of the fines proceeds for prevention education programs.

"Kaitlyn's Law" was named after Kaitlyn Russell, the 6-month old daughter of Tammy Russell of Riverside County, who died in August of 2000 after being left alone for at least two hours in a vehicle by a babysitter where temperatures topped 130 degrees. KIDS 'N CARS, a national advocacy group headquartered in San Francisco, was the primary sponsor of "Kaitlyn's Law", with support from 4 R Kids Sake, founded by Tammy Russell.

California becomes the tenth state in the country with a law that prohibits leaving children unattended in vehicles. Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington currently have laws on the books that prohibit children being left alone in vehicles.

Children left alone in cars have been harmed or have died from heat stroke, carbon monoxide poisoning, cigarette-caused fire, putting the car into gear and then being run over, child abduction, and being crushed by a power window.

Speier concluded, "The tragedies to children left unattended in motor vehicles were preventable. This bill will provide vital education about the dangers of leaving a child alone in a car, utility vehicle, or van; and the monetary fine will help remind us to keep our children safe."

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