Office of State Senator Speier
Room 2032, State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814                        Contact: Manny Hernandez 445-0503

For immediate release: June 6, 2001

Big Victory for Bill to Prevent Injuries to Kids in Cars

The State Senate by a 26-10 vote today approved Senator Jackie Speier's SB 255 which establishes fines for leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo cos.) stated, "Too many children are injured or die because they are left alone in parked motor vehicles. In the last 5 years, 31 young children died in California as a result of being left unattended in or around motor vehicles."

SB 255 authorizes a $100 fine if a person responsible for a child 6 years or younger leaves that child unattended in a vehicle and there is either significant risk to the health and safety of the child, or the vehicle's engine is left running or the vehicle's keys are left in the ignition. The bill sets aside 60% of the fines proceeds for prevention education programs.

Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington already have laws that prohibit leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Children left alone in cars have been harmed or died from heat stroke, abduction, carbon monoxide poisoning, being run over, and being crushed by a power window.

Speier concluded, "Each of the tragedies to children left unattended in a car were entirely preventable. SB 255 will provide both the monetary incentive to take the prudent action and provide a means of educating the public about the grave dangers associated with leaving a child alone in a car for only a few minutes."