Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 225 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide immunity from civil liability for volunteer installers and inspectors of child safety seats, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton conduct.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the department of transportation, the department of health, the Honolulu police department, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, the Maui police department, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.

Your Committee finds that child safety seats only serve their purpose if they are correctly installed, and that a very high percentage of child safety seats are incorrectly installed. The limited immunity provided by this measure would encourage trained personnel to participate in programs designed to teach the public proper safety seat installation techniques.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 225 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.