Proposed CPS law for Oregon

I am going to the work seesion today. Here is the propsed bill:

Safe Kids Child Occupant Protection Law
HB 2536A/SB 480

Unintentional injury and death to Oregon children while traveling in motor vehicles can be prevented. Currently, Oregon law requires children younger than 6 years of age or weighing less than 60 pounds to ride in booster seats. Recent research has shown that adult lap and shoulder belts do not fit children until they are 8 years of age or 4’9” tall. (Partners for Child Passenger Safety, Fact and Trend Report 2006) By requiring the use of child safety seats for children up to 8 years of age or 4’9”, Oregon would be ensuring that children who do not fit in adult safety belts are protected. This change would clarify the safest way to transport children for families.

HB 2536A Update: On March 26, 2007, the House Judiciary Committee voted to pass the amended bill. Currently HB 2536A is awaiting review by the Ways & Means Committee.

SB 480 Update: SB 480 is the Senate version of 2536A. Currently being amended. A public hearing was held on Monday April 17.

FACTS
According to Oregon Vital Statistics, motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of unintentional injury and death to Oregon children ages 1-14 in 2004.

Despite the fact that children ages 4 to 8 years are safer riding in booster seats, only 52% of Oregon’s booster age children are riding in booster seats. (ODOT, 2006 Occupant/Child Restraint Observation Study)

Children who do not fit in adult safety belts can be ejected from the vehicle. Ejection from the vehicle is one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash. In fatal crashes, 75 percent of passenger car occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed. (NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis)

By upgrading our child occupant protection law, Oregon may be eligible for more than $400,000 of federal funding under Section 2011. These funds would provide additional education and child safety seats for families in need in Oregon.

Effective June 1, 2007, Washington state will enact their updated child passenger safety law which will require children to use a child safety seat or booster up until age eight unless they are 4’9” tall. (ACTS Oregon website, October 2006)

PROPOSED REVISIONS TO ORS 811.210 and 811.215
Requires persons who are under eight years of age and are under 4’ 9” to use a child safety system in motor vehicle.

Requires persons under one year of age regardless of weight or under 20lbs. to use a rear-facing child safety system.

Creates offense of endangering child safety.


As of February 2007, the following have joined the coalition supporting HB 2536/SB 480:
Oregon Legislators
Senator Devlin
Senator Monroe
Representative Gelser
Representative MacPherson

Associations and Organizations
ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center
American Medical Response
Boring Fire District
Oregon Medical Association
Oregon Pediatric Society
Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Central Oregon
Safe Kids Clackamas County
Safe Kids Columbia County
Safe Kids Columbia Gorge
Safe Kids Douglas County
Safe Kids Grant County
Safe Kids Harney County
Safe Kids Lane County
Safe Kids Malheur County
Safe Kids North Coast
Safe Kids Portland Metro
Safe Kids Rogue Valley
Safe Kids Umatilla & Morrow Counties
Safe Kids Wallowa County
Safe Kids Willamette Valley

I really hope this goes through! I need to write some letters, it sounds like. Not many legislators seem to be on board with this.

If you want the email I got with everyone names, etc., just PM me your email address.