Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2321 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require children from four to eight years of age to be restrained in a child safety seat or a booster seat while riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle.

Your Committee finds that child passenger safety should be a priority in this State, and thus children must be adequately protected when riding as passengers in motor vehicles. Although a measure similar to this bill was passed in the 2001 legislative session and subsequently vetoed by the Governor, your Committee believes that the requirements of this bill do not impose undue hardship upon the drivers of this State. Your Committee notes that this bill contains exemptions for children weighing over 80 pounds, for situations in which the number of persons in a vehicle exceeds the number of seat belt assemblies available in a vehicle, and for older vehicles equipped only with lap belts in the back seat. Your Committee further notes that compliant child safety seats cost between $20 to $30, and with the tax credit provided by the State for purchasers of such a seat, the economic impact on a family should be marginal.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2321 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.