CS/HB 591 — Hot Car Death Prevention
by Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee and Reps. Brannan, Smith, and others (CS/SB 554 by Rules Committee and Senators Bradley and Perry)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill designates April as “Hot Car Death Prevention Month” to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in motor vehicles and educate the public on how to prevent hot car deaths. The bill encourages the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, local governments, and other agencies to sponsor events on specific topics that promote public awareness and education related to the dangers of leaving children unattended in motor vehicles and how to prevent hot car deaths. These campaigns must address proper motor vehicle safety, steps a bystander can take to rescue a vulnerable child in imminent danger, and the criminal penalties associated with leaving a child in a motor vehicle unattended or unsupervised.
The bill may be cited as “Ariya’s Act” in memoriam of a 10-month-old infant that died of heatstroke after being left in a vehicle.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2024.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 118-0