Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB 218 | |
| SB 226 | |
| HB 326 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 218 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 226 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 326 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 218
"An Act relating to use of child safety seats and seat
belts."
Co-Chair Stedman presented an overview of three bills on the
agenda. He commented that this was the first hearing of SB
226 and, after taking the sponsor testimony, the Committee
would hear public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Committee Substitute for SB
218, work draft 25-LS1273\C as the working document before
this committee.
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion purposes.
9:09:34 AM
SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH presented an overview of the Committee
Substitute changes. He explained that the Committee
Substitute clarified the booster seat age requirements.
Under the original bill a small fifteen year old child would
be required to use a booster seat, but this proved
unrealistic. The bill now clarified that a child over eight
years old, who did not meet the height and weight
requirement, can use a booster seat or a seat belt,
whichever is appropriate. He noted this would also help law
enforcement who could simply inquire about a child's age
without trying to determine their height and weight.
Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, work draft 25-LS1273\C was adopted.
9:11:08 AM
Senator French presented an overview of the bill. This bill
notes that when children try to use adult seat belts in
place of proper child restraint devices, injuries occur. The
use of a proper child restraint or booster seat can prevent
injuries. Current Alaska law states that children under the
age of four must be secured in a safety device, meeting U.S.
Department of Transportation standards. The bill places the
Department of Transportation guidelines into the statute.
Senator French noted a chart describing the age, height and
weight requirements for various safety devices (SB 218 Child
Safety Seats and Seat Belts, copy on file). The American
Academy of Pediatrics declared that booster seats are sixty
percent safer than seat belts alone and thirty eight states
now mandate booster use. He outlined that the object is not
to punish. The first offense is just a citation that
disappears once the booster seat is obtained.
9:12:58 AM
Senator French referred to the fiscal note showing that
Alaska would be eligible for $200,000 a year in federal
funds.
9:13:28 AM
Senator Thomas questioned if federal standards or guidelines
provided information regarding the proper heights and
weights for the children using booster seats or seat belts.
Senator French acknowledged that the information was
obtained from the U.S. Department of Transportation
guidelines based on their research and studies. He indicated
that on Page 2, Subsection 3, lines 3-8 is the new addition
to the law.
9:14:47 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman addressed the situation where booster seats
may not be available in rural communities and questioned
what would be the penalties for non-compliance. Senator
French mentioned that the first fine would be a $25 "fix-it"
ticket that would go away when the proper safety device was
purchased.
ALYSON BIASTOCK, STAFF, SENATOR FRENCH, interjected that the
first ticket would be a $50 "fix-it" fine; the second
offense would not include the "fix-it" option. She responded
to the question of booster seats not being available in some
communities by mentioning they were available online. Co-
Chair Hoffman asked how long it would take to order online.
Senator French responded that he was not sure. Co-Chair
Hoffman advised that it would take at least a month to
receive one online.
9:15:52 AM
Senator Olson revealed some villages have no state
maintained roads or internet availability. Senator French
responded that if booster child seats are ignored within the
community, then he believed the requirement will also be
ignored. He does not see this bill changing what the
community has made a priority to the local law enforcement.
9:17:53 AM
PEGGY HAYASHI, REGISTERED NURSE, CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION
STATE-SIDE COORDINATOR, CHUGIAK testified via
teleconference, and supported this bill. She witnessed
childhood injuries among non-restrained children, both
personally and professionally. She explained that the
current law is difficult for many people to understand,
therefore this revision is meant as a clarification. She
voiced the concern of rural Alaska by mentioning that any
high-risk or low income child needing a booster seat has
access by calling a child care provider or educator who will
ensure a booster seat gets to the child. She noted the wide
range in booster seat costs and styles.
9:21:25 AM
Senator Thomas remarked that any car seat, whatever the
price, is worth it for the safety of the child. Ms. Hayashi
agreed and stated again that through grants and donations
hundred of free seats have been available throughout Alaska
for those that need them.
GORDON GLASER, STAFF, STATE OF ALASKA, DIVISION OF PUBLIC
HEALTH AND COMMITTEE MEMBER BOOSTER SEAT LEGISLATIVE
COALITION, ANCHORAGE testified via teleconference, and
supported this bill. He mentioned this legislation is
important because it does not add any new penalties only
clarify any confusion. Motor-vehicle related injuries are
the second leading cause of hospitalization and leading
cause of fatalities for Alaska children. This bill would
help parents and communities understand the law.
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the one fiscal previously
mentioned from the Department of Transportation.
9:24:59 AM
Senator Elton questioned if an accident with injuries to the
child occurred and the parent did not have the required seat
by law would this elevate the accident to a crime.
9:25:48 AM
Senator French responded that "it depends." They would
probably not elevate it to a crime if it was just the
improper seat device for the child, but if this was coupled
with alcohol, it could be considered reckless endangerment.
Senator Elton wondered if this would implicate an
individual's insurance policy. Senator French replied that
the answer would probably be "no" and the insurance company
would have a hard time denying coverage for a child who was
injured.
9:27:57 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to REPORT CSSB 218 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and an accompanying fiscal
note.
CSSB 218 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and an accompanying previously published
fiscal note by the Department of Transportation.
9:28:52 AM
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