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State Laws regarding children in vehicles

Baby OK
Feb 14, 2018
2 min read

Did you know that each state has their own laws regarding children in vehicles? And that only 19 states actually have laws specific to children being left in a car?

Baby OK was founded in FL...here is some information on Florida State Law: 316.6135 Leaving children unattended or unsupervised in motor vehicles; penalty; authority of law enforcement officer. (1) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child younger than 6 years of age may not leave such child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle: (a) For a period in excess of 15 minutes; (b) For any period of time if the motor of the vehicle is running or the health of the child is in danger.

Florida also has a Good Samaritan Law.

It reads: Unattended Persons and Animals in Motor Vehicles: Providing immunity from civil liability for damage to a motor vehicle related to the rescue of a person or animal under certain circumstances; providing applicability, etc.

Effective Date: March 8, 2016

For a list of all state laws, please visit a great resource, Kids and Cars. You will be able to look up the law for each state.

Only 9 other states have a Good Samaritan Law. Find out which states here.

Some exciting news about children being left in cars (I know that sounds crazy): There were 2 pieces of proposed legislation in 2017.

Senate Bill 486- Child Care Facilities; Creating the "Child Safety Alarm Act"; requiring vehicles used by child care facilities and large family child care homes to be equipped with a reliable alarm system that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle; requiring the Department of Children and Families to adopt by rule minimum safety standards and maintain a list of approved alarm systems, etc.

House Bill 305- Child Care Facilities; Designates act as "Child Safety Alarm Act"; requires vehicles used by child care facilities & large family child care homes to be equipped with alarm system that prompts driver to inspect vehicle for children before exiting vehicle; requires DCF to maintain list of approved alarm systems.

We will not know the outcome of the voting for a few more weeks, so stay tuned.