SENATE, No. 2531

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 12, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  HOLLY T. SCHEPISI

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires child care center vehicles to be equipped with alarm system prompting driver to inspect vehicle for children left unattended in vehicle.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning child care center vehicles and supplementing P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  Each vehicle used to transport enrolled children to and from a child care center licensed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.), except private passenger vehicles, shall be equipped with an alarm system, approved by the Department of Children and Families pursuant to subsection b. of section 2 of this act, that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle.

 

     2.  The Department of Children and Families, in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, shall:

     a.     adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations concerning the alarm system required to be installed in each vehicle that transports enrolled children to and from a licensed child care center, which shall include minimum safety standards; and

     b.    approve alarm systems that meet the minimum safety standards adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

 

     3.  This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires each vehicle used to transport enrolled children to and from a licensed child care center to be equipped with an alarm system that prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle.  The bill requires the Department of Children and Families (department), in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to adopt rules and regulations concerning the alarm system, including minimum safety standards.  The department is to approve alarm systems that meet the minimum safety standards.