BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 53
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
53 (Cristina Garcia) - As Amended April 14, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires, effective January 1, 2017, that a child
under two years of age be properly secured in a rear facing
child safety seat (CSS) while being transported in a motor
AB 53
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vehicle, as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor nonreimbursable cost to local law enforcement agencies for
enforcement, offset to some extent by fine revenues. Any costs
to CHP and DMV will be minor and absorbable.
COMMENTS:
1)Background. In March 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) released a revised set of passenger safety
recommendations for transporting children under age 13 in a
motor vehicle. AAP's recommendation included having infants
and toddlers ride in rear-facing CSSs until they reach two
years of age or until they reach the maximum weight or height
allowed by the CSS manufacturer. This recommendation also
advises state lawmakers to consider "phasing-in" the
rear-facing requirement over a minimum two-year period in
order to educate parents on the safety benefits of rear-facing
CSSs.
2)Purpose. This bill intends to reduce the injury risk of
infants and toddlers involved in motor vehicle accidents by
implementing the AAP recommendation. The bill also includes
exemptions based on a child's height and weight in addition to
requiring parents to comply with the CSS manufacturer's height
and weight limitations. The author contends the bill "will
help protect against the tragedy of traffic fatalities
involving toddlers and keep California children safe.
California could be the first state in the nation to pass this
important law to protect our youngest residents."
AB 53
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Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081