TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - A proposal filed in the Florida legislature would strengthen penalties for parents who do not properly use child restraints in cars.
Under the measure, the Department of Children and Families would be able to open a child abuse investigation after the fact, to see whether seat belt or booster seat violations during a car accident led to a child’s injury or death.
Under current law, DCF doesn’t have the power to track the incidents, and child seatbelt violations carries a minimum fine of $60.
State Representative Cord Byrd will sponsor the bill in the Florida House. Byrd said the goal of the legislation is not to penalize parents, but rather to help them better understand how to protect their kids.
“It’s not to put parents in criminal jeopardy. It’s to make sure they understand the safety importance, and if they need assistance to maybe get a car seat and that they understand how to put it in properly," said Byrd.
Under the bill, DCF could begin an investigation if a doctor feel’s the lack of a safety restraint worsened a child’s injuries.
It is estimated that 35 percent of children under 12 who die in car accidents are not restrained.
The legislation will be conserved during the 2019 session, which begins March 5.
