Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 61	Senate Author:  Zaffirini et al.
Effective:  9-1-09	House Sponsor:  Vaught

            Under previous law, a person committed an offense by operating a passenger vehicle while transporting a child younger than five years of age and less than 36 inches in height who was not appropriately secured in a child passenger safety seat system. Senate Bill 61 amends the Transportation Code to specify that a person commits such an offense if the person transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches. The bill makes such an offense punishable by a fine of not more than $25 for the first offense and not more than $250 for a second or subsequent offense, rather than not less than $100 or more than $200. The bill adds a 15-cent court cost on conviction of an offense of failing to secure a child passenger in a motor vehicle and sets forth provisions relating to the collection, deposit, and uses of the court cost. The bill amends the Government Code to make conforming changes.