Thursday, April 10, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
Senate votes for booster seats until age 9
Safety measure now goes to the Assembly
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CARSON CITY -- The Senate voted Wednesday for a measure expanding the use of child restraints and fining parents who don't follow the rules.
Senate Bill 116 by Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, requires that children under age 9 and less than 80 pounds be in a booster seat. He says adult belts that don't properly fit can injure small children.
The bill passed 19-2 over objections from Sens. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas.
Coffin said the plan goes too far, adding, "We might as well all be wearing helmets."
Violations would result in fines up to $500, but parents who complete a training course in proper child safety would pay only $50.
Parents packing their car with children en route to a soccer game could be fined if they don't have extra booster seats, noted Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas.
But Nolan, a deputy coroner, said the hassle of carrying extra restraints was outweighed by the safety dangers of not doing so. He said 12 children between ages 5 and 9 who were not properly secured in their seats were killed in Nevada last year, and many more were injured.
Nolan also said some Las Vegas groups give away the seats for free.
The bill would take effect in the summer, allowing time for public education. It now heads to the Assembly.
