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1999 SESSION

986322758
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 93
Offered January 23, 1998
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study issues associated with child restraints used in motor vehicles.
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Patrons-- Whipple, Couric, Miller, Y.B., Newman, Reasor, Ticer and Watkins
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Article 13 of Chapter 10 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia requires the use of child restraints when children less than four years old are transported in motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of this legislation is the prevention and mitigation of injuries to children involved in motor vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of even the best-designed and best-constructed child restraint can be seriously compromised if it is improperly installed; and

WHEREAS, it is highly desirable that the greatest possible percentage of young children be placed in child restraints when transported in motor vehicles, and that those restraints be properly installed and used; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study issues associate with child restraints used in motor vehicles. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of nine members as follows: four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections and five members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

The work of the joint subcommittee shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the desirability and feasibility of: (i) including inspection of child restraints and their installation in annual motor vehicle safety inspections; (ii) making information on the proper use and installation of child restraints and manufacturers' recalls of child restraints available through the Department of Motor Vehicles or some other state or local agencies; (iii) requiring health insurance coverage for young children to include costs of child restraints to the same extent as prescription drugs; and (iv) immunizing hospitals and hospital workers from liability associated with child restraints provided by them to the parents of newborn children.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,750.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.