Texas House Bill HB528

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 3/30/09

Caption

Relating to the offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle and to fines for the offense.

Impact

The implementation of HB 528 is poised to impact state laws significantly by modifying the existing Traffic Code. The bill also stipulates that all fines collected under this legislation will be remitted to the comptroller for a specific purpose: the funding of child safety seat systems for low-income families through the Texas Department of Transportation. This financial strategy seeks to augment the resources available to ensure that safety restraints are accessible for those who might struggle to afford them, thereby improving the safety of children across the state.

Summary

House Bill 528 is legislation aimed at amending the provisions concerning the offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle. The bill raises the age limit for children required to be secured in a child safety seat from five years old to eight years old, provided certain height requirements are met. This adjustment reflects current safety recommendations and aims to enhance the protection of younger passengers during vehicle operation. The bill specifies that the offense remains a misdemeanor, with penalties established as a fine ranging from $0 to $25, as opposed to previous fines that could be as high as $200.

Contention

While the bill appears to be largely aimed at enhancing child safety, discussions may arise regarding the appropriateness of the amended age and height requirements, with some advocates possibly arguing for stricter safety measures. Additionally, the financial emphasis on fines and their application to funding specific programs may raise questions about the effectiveness and fairness of this approach in promoting overall traffic safety and compliance among vehicle operators. There could be opposing viewpoints on whether financial penalties are a sufficient incentive for compliance or whether they disproportionately affect lower-income families. Overall, public and legislative sentiment may shape how effectively HB 528 achieves its intended objectives.