Current Status Bill Number:3853 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970409 Primary Sponsor:Davenport All Sponsors:Davenport, Lee, Tripp and Leach Drafted Document Number:jic\5996ac.97 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Judiciary Committee 25 HJ Subject:Motor vehicle to have label stating lock vehicle to prevent danger to children, unlawful to leave minor unattended
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19970409 Introduced, read first time, 25 HJ referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE CHILD AUTOMOBILE SAFETY ACT OF 1997 BY ADDING SECTION 56-15-135 SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER TO SELL OR OFFER FOR SALE A MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS THERE IS A PERMANENTLY AFFIXED LABEL ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS STATING "LOCK VEHICLE TO PREVENT DANGER TO CHILDREN" AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-50, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL CONDUCT TOWARDS CHILDREN, SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO LEAVE A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE UNATTENDED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Child Automobile Safety Act of 1997".
SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-15-135. (A) It is unlawful for a motor vehicle dealer to offer for sale or sell a motor vehicle in this State unless a label is permanently affixed adjacent to the lock on the driver and front passenger doors on the motor vehicle stating in clearly legible type: 'Lock vehicle to prevent danger to children'.
(B) A person who violates subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined no less than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned no more than one year. Each violation is a separate offense."
SECTION 3. Section 20-7-50(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 450 of 1996, is further amended to read:
"(A) It is unlawful for a person who has charge or custody of a child, who is the parent or guardian of a child, or who is responsible for the care and support of a child to:
(1) place the child at unreasonable risk of harm affecting the child's life, physical or mental health, or safety;
(2) do or cause to be done unlawfully or maliciously any bodily harm to the child so that the life or health of the child is endangered or likely to be endangered; or
(3) wilfully abandon the child; or
(4) leave a child under the age of twelve unattended in a motor vehicle."
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.