H.B. 13 Enrolled

1

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN RIDING IN MOTOR
2 VEHICLES
3 2013 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Patrice M. Arent
6 Senate Sponsor: Aaron Osmond
7 Cosponsors:
8 Stewart Barlow
9 Joel K. Briscoe
10 Derek E. Brown
11 Melvin R. Brown
12 Rebecca Chavez-Houck
13 Tim M. Cosgrove
14 Jack R. DraxlerRebecca P. Edwards
Steve Eliason
Craig Hall
Brian S. King
Kay L. McIff
Ronda Rudd Menlove
Carol Spackman Moss
Lee B. PerryDixon M. Pitcher
Marie H. Poulson
Kraig Powell
Paul Ray
Edward H. Redd
Jennifer M. Seelig
V. Lowry Snow 15
16 LONG TITLE
17 General Description:
18 This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by enacting a restriction on smoking in a
19 motor vehicle when a child is present.
20 Highlighted Provisions:
21 This bill:
22 . defines smoking;
23 . prohibits a person from smoking in a motor vehicle if a child who is 15 years of age
24 or younger is a passenger in the vehicle except in certain circumstances;
25 . provides that violating the smoking prohibition is an infraction and has a maximum
26 fine of $45;
27 . provides that until July 1, 2014, a peace officer may not issue a citation to an
28 individual for a violation of this section but shall issue the individual a warning

29 informing the individual that smoking is prohibited in a motor vehicle if a child who is 15
30 years of age or younger is a passenger in the vehicle;
31 . provides that a court may suspend the fine for a violation if the person has not
32 previously been convicted of smoking in a vehicle when a child is present and
33 proves that the person has enrolled in a smoking cessation program;
34 . provides that enforcement of the smoking prohibition shall be only as a secondary
35 action; and
36 . provides that a violation of the smoking prohibition may not be used as a basis for
37 or evidence of child abuse or neglect.
38 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
39 None
40 Other Special Clauses:
41 None
42 Utah Code Sections Affected:
43 ENACTS:
44 41-6a-1717, Utah Code Annotated 1953
45
46 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
47 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1717 is enacted to read:
48 41-6a-1717. Smoking in a vehicle prohibited when child is present -- Penalty --
49 Enforcement.
50 (1) As used in this section, "smoking" has the same meaning as defined in Section
51 26-38-2 .
52 (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), smoking is prohibited in a motor
53 vehicle if a child who is 15 years of age or younger is a passenger in the vehicle.
54 (b) A person may smoke in a motor vehicle while a child who is 15 years of age or
55 younger is a passenger in the vehicle if the person:
56 (i) is operating a convertible or open-body type motor vehicle; and

57 (ii) the roof on the convertible or open-body type motor vehicle is in the open-air
58 mode.
59 (3) A person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction and is subject to a
60 maximum fine of $45.
61 (4) Until July 1, 2014, a peace officer may not issue a citation to an individual for a
62 violation of this section but shall issue the individual a warning informing the individual that
63 smoking is prohibited in a motor vehicle if a child who is 15 years of age or younger is a
64 passenger in the vehicle.
65 (5) The court may suspend the fine for a violation of this section if:
66 (a) the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of this section; and
67 (b) the person proves to the court that the person has enrolled in a smoking cessation
68 program.
69 (6) Enforcement of this section by a state or local law enforcement officer shall be only
70 as a secondary action when the vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation by any
71 person in the vehicle of Title 41, Motor Vehicles, other than this section, or for another offense.
72 (7) A violation of this section may not be used as a basis for or evidence of child abuse
73 or neglect.

[Bill Documents]