STAND. COM. REP. NO. 540

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 152

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 152 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Amend the requirements for the restraint of child passengers; and

 

     (2)  Increase certain fines for violations.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Hawaii Strategic Highway Safety Plan, County of Kauai Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu Police Department, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, and AAA Hawaii.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and Hawaii Association for Justice.

 

     Your Committee finds that motor vehicle injuries are one of the leading causes of death among children.  The best way to save lives and reduce injuries in the event of an automobile collision is to ensure the use of age and size appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.  This measure will better protect children by placing them in a safer seating position within the vehicle and securely seated in an appropriate booster seat for an increased period of time.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 152 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

 

________________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair