Senate Approves Bill To Criminalize Leaving A Child In A Vehicle

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill that, if signed into law, would increase penalties for adults who leave children unattended in vehicles.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, would repeal the current law that police only give a verbal warning if a child under 7 years old is left alone in a car. Under the new legislation, authorities would have the ability to charge the person with cruelty to or neglect of a child, if appropriate to the situation. It would also require first responders and police officers to notify the Department of Children, Youth and Families after a child is left in a car, which is forbidden under the current law.

"While child neglect and child endangerment are serious crimes, we had no law providing a penalty for children left unattended in cars and the law only authorizes law enforcement officials to provide a verbal warning," Raptakis said. "There is a serious danger of abduction and an even greater danger from excessive temperatures inside a car."

Raptakis pointed out that Rhode Island law currently has stronger consequences for leaving a pet in a car, unattended, with the possibility of up to $1,000 in fines.

"It’s time we give our children the same protection," he said. "It's time we protect our children."

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.