HBA-EDN H.B. 3160 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3160
By: Bonnen
Transportation
4/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of unintentional
injury-related death among children 14 years of age and younger.  Child
safety seats and safety belts when used properly can prevent injury and
save the lives of children.  Under current law, failure to secure a child
younger than four years of age or failure to require a child younger than
15 years of age to be secured by a safety belt while operating a motor
vehicle is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of not less than $25
and not more than $50. House Bill 3160 provides that these offenses are
punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 if the offense results in
serious bodily injury to or death of a child.        
              
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3160 amends the Transportation Code to provide that the
following offenses are punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 if the
offense results in serious bodily injury to or death of a child: 

_transporting a child younger than two years of age in a passenger car or
light truck and failing to keep the child secured during the operation of
the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system; 

_transporting a child who is at least two years of age but younger than
four in a passenger car or light truck and failing to keep the child
secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety
seat system or by a safety belt; and  

_allowing a child who is at least four years of age but younger than 15 to
ride in a passenger car or light truck equipped with safety belts without
requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.