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1029
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HARRY HUGHES, Governor
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FOR the purpose of advancing highway safety in. this State by
requiring that any person transporting a child of a certain
age in certain vehicles position and secure the child in a
child safety seat, properly fastened seat belt or
combination seat belt-shoulder harness, under certain
circumstances; defining certain terms; providing an
exemption under certain circumstances; providing that a
violation is not contributory negligence and may not be
admitted in evidence; providing that a violation subjects
the violator to a certain penalty; providing for the waiver
of a certain penalty under certain circumstances; providing
that the Department of Transportation and the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene shall jointly implement this
program and promote compliance through certain efforts;
providing for a delayed effective date of this Act; and
generally relating to the use of child safety seats in motor
vehicles.
BY adding to
Article - Transportation
Section 22-412.2
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1977 Volume and 1982 Supplement)
Preamble
WHEREAS, Maryland State Police statistics indicate that from
January 1980 through August 1982, 22 children died under the age
of 5 and 1,455 were injured on Maryland highways; and
WHEREAS, Children up to the age of 5 have a much greater
risk of injury due to their small size, early skeletal
development, and dependence on others for safety decisions; and
WHEREAS, The proper use of child safety seats has been
demonstrated to be an effective means of reducing child
fatalities and serious injuries; and
WHEREAS, Significant reductions in the social and economic
burdens on families, insurers, and the public may be achieved
through the implementation of a child safety seat program; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has
already instituted a program to loan seats to persons with young
children; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 20 states have already enacted
similar legislation, including most of our neighboring states;
and
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WHEREAS, It is the purpose of this Act to protect the health
and safety of all children in Maryland; now, therefore,
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