TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) – A bill designed to curtail the frequency of children being left in hot daycare vehicles in Florida has passed through its first committee.
The proposed Child Safety Alarm Act on Monday comes after the death of an Orlando three-year-old child last summer, Myles Hill, who was left unattended in a hot daycare van that reached temperatures of 144 degrees.
"This is a bipartisan effort to keep our children safe," said State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), who presented the bill, passed by unanimous approval.
Senate Bill 486 requires daycare centers that transport children to equip their vehicles with reliable safety alarm systems by 2019. These systems will alert drivers to inspect their vehicles for any children who may have been left behind.
The bill is expected to be taken up next for a vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, followed by the Rules Committee and a full floor vote.
A companion bill, House Bill 305, has been filed by Rep. Bruce Antone (D-Orlando).
