Connecticut House Bill HB05380

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/13
• Refer: 1/17/13

Caption

An Act Prohibiting Smoking In Motor Vehicles With Minor Children.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would impose a new prohibition in Connecticut law, creating a rebuttable presumption that a person holding a smoking device near their mouth is engaging in smoking, whether the vehicle is in motion or at rest. Additionally, the legislation establishes that individuals found violating this prohibition would commit an infraction and that first-time offenders within the first year of enforcement would receive a warning rather than a fine. The intent behind this structure is to educate and deter, rather than immediately penalize, first-time violators.

Summary

House Bill 5380 proposes to prohibit smoking in motor vehicles when minor children are present, specifically targeting those six years old or younger or weighing less than sixty pounds. The bill seeks to amend the general statutes to include a new provision that aims to protect children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke while they are secured in a child restraint system in vehicles. This legislation is rooted in public health concerns regarding the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke for vulnerable populations, particularly young children.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 5380 may touch upon various points of contention, primarily regarding personal freedoms versus public health responsibilities. Proponents argue that the health and safety of children should take precedence over the right to smoke in a vehicle, emphasizing the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Conversely, opponents might express concerns over government overreach and question the efficacy of such laws in changing behavior. Legislative discussions are likely to include debates over the enforcement of this law and the potential burden it may place on law enforcement.