New Law Makes Leaving Kids In Car A Crime

The penalty for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle will increase this summer with legislation signed this week by Governor Charlie Crist.

A law that takes effect July 1 makes it a misdemeanor crime, rather than a traffic infraction, to leave a child under 6 years old in a vehicle without the engine running for 15 minutes or more. Violators could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500.

Under the new law (SB 2), leaving a child under six in a running car for any length of time will still be a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine ranging from $50 to $500.


The measure also says that parents can't leave children in a car for any length of time if the health of the child is in danger, although it does not spell out who should decide that.

What would be the penalty if we left guiness in the car after 35ing without the car running? Worth the penalty,I say,l.o.l.

The penalty for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle will increase this summer with legislation signed this week by Governor Charlie Crist.

A law that takes effect July 1 makes it a misdemeanor crime, rather than a traffic infraction, to leave a child under 6 years old in a vehicle without the engine running for 15 minutes or more. Violators could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500.

Under the new law (SB 2), leaving a child under six in a running car for any length of time will still be a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine ranging from $50 to $500.


The measure also says that parents can't leave children in a car for any length of time if the health of the child is in danger, although it does not spell out who should decide that.


Wow, have to be more than 15 minutes. So someone could say that they only step away from the car for about 7 minutes in reality it was over 20 minutes.

no you have to park and watch the kid in the car for 15 minutes then you take action. why 15 min is there a certain time frame that the kid decides to drive off with the car, or is it at 16 min that the car gets 22ed wow, good job charlie :idea:

so if the kid dies of heat stroke after 8 minutes do you still have to wait 7 more in order to make the arrest. guys from now onj when you get a call of a kid in a car, don't try to get him out, just leave him in there and keep an eye on your watch, we want that arrest.

What about if the kid is sgt.Freddy? Must we wait 15 mins if sgt freddy gets stuck inside a police or his personal car? Just asking?

WOW THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A LONG TIME AGO

The penalty for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle will increase this summer with legislation signed this week by Governor Charlie Crist.

A law that takes effect July 1 makes it a misdemeanor crime, rather than a traffic infraction, to leave a child under 6 years old in a vehicle without the engine running for 15 minutes or more. Violators could be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500.

Under the new law (SB 2), leaving a child under six in a running car for any length of time will still be a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine ranging from $50 to $500.


The measure also says that parents can't leave children in a car for any length of time if the health of the child is in danger, although it does not spell out who should decide that.

people never do that

agreed with chiefy.