AB 176/SB 141 was introduced into both branches of the legislature at the end of March. With 23 co-sponsors, the bill would require that an additional safety feature be installed into certain child care vehicles. At present, DCF licensing rules prohibit children from being left unattended in a child care vehicle. This bill would mandate that a child safety alarm, which would serve as a reminder to check a vehicle for children before exiting, be installed into any child care vehicle that can seat 6 or more passengers in addition to the driver. Under this bill a child care vehicle is one that is either owned or leased by a child care provider and is used to bring children to and from child care.

After being introduced, the bill was referred to the Senate’s committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development and to the Assembly’s committee on Children and Families. You can read the full text of the bill here.