Calling it a "car accident you can prevent", advocacy groups around the country are calling for legislation in all states to make leaving a child along in a car against the law, no matter what the temperature outside.

Here in KELOLAND, Iowa lawmakers were the first to consider such a measure. Under that provision, leaving a child under the age of six alone in a car would be punishable by a $100 fine. That legislation is still tabled in committee, however.

Minnesota lawmakers have considered an even stricter proposal, making it against the law to leave a child under the age of nine unattended in a vehicle. The fine there would be $150 for a first even and at least $300 dollars for subsequent events. That bill too has been tabled in committee.

Nebraska already has a law on the books making it illegal to leave a child alone in a car. There, it is illegal to leave any child six years or younger alone in a motor vehicle. The fine for violating the state statute is $100.
Even though there is no such law in South Dakota, law officers in the state can charge a person who leave a child alone in a car with child neglect or child endangerment.

Lawmakers on Capital Hill are also looking into legislation in an effort to reduce the number of children who die each year after being left alone in cars. If approved, the " Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2005" would require all automakers to include a reminder light on new cars which would trigger whenever a car is turned off. The alarm system, like those for safety belts, would remind the driver if any passengers remain in any of the vehicle's back seats.

Because Congress is currently on August recess, the House of Representatives is not expected to take up the matter again until after the session resume this fall.

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