Leaving Children Unattended or Unsupervised in

Motor Vehicles; Penalty; Authority of Law Enforcement Officer.

(a)A parent, legal guardian, or other person, at least twelve

(12)years of age, responsible for a child five

(5)years of age or younger, may not leave such child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle:

(1)For a period in excess of fifteen

(15)minutes; or COL7/19/2022 CH. 31 OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

(2)For any period of time if the motor of the vehicle is running or the health of the child is in danger.

(b)Any person who violates the provisions of Subsection (a)(1) commits a petty misdemeanor.

(c)Any person who violates the provisions of Subsection (a)(2) is guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine not less than Fifty Dollars ($50) and not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500).

(d)Any person who violates Subsection

(a)and in so doing causes serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to a child commits a felony of the third degree.

(e)Any law enforcement officer who observes a child left unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle in violation of Subsection

(a)may use whatever means are reasonably necessary to protect the minor child and to remove the child from the vehicle.

(1)If the child is removed from the immediate area, notification should be placed on the vehicle.

(2)The child shall be remanded to the custody of the Child Protective Services Division pursuant to Title 19 GCA, Chapter 13, unless the law enforcement officer is able to locate the parents or legal guardian or other person responsible for the child.