STAND. COM. REP. NO.2172

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2321

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2321 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the age of mandatory child safety seat usage from 4 to 8 years old, with certain limited exceptions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health, the Honolulu City and County Police Department, the Maui County Police Department, the Hawaii County Police Department, the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Blueprint for Change, and a concerned citizen.

Your Committee finds that child passenger safety must be a priority in this State. Although a similar measure was vetoed by the Governor following the 2001 regular session, your Committee believes that children must be adequately protected when riding in automobiles.

Your Committee received an enlightening demonstration of proper safety seat use during the public hearing on this measure. The demonstration showed how an adult sized seat belt is completely inadequate to protect small children from injury in the event of a motor vehicle accident. With a child safety seat, the same child can use a seat belt properly.

Your Committee also finds that the requirements of this measure are not too onerous to impose upon the drivers of this State. First, there are exemptions for children over 80 pounds and for older vehicles equipped only with lap belts in the back seat.

In addition, your Committee finds that a compliant child safety seat costs between $20-$30, and that with the tax credit provided by the State for purchasers of such a seat, the economic impact on a family will be either nothing or very little.

Therefore, your Committee fully supports this measure to protect small children riding in automobiles.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2321 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair