Editorial: Children all alone in cars

Monday, May 23, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

A month ago the Nevada Senate passed a bill that would make it a misdemeanor crime for an adult to accidentally leave a child alone in a car. The legislation was prompted by the belief that, even when such a mistake occurs, a parent should be held accountable in some way. And while anyone found guilty under Senate Bill 287 could serve up to six months in jail and be fined up to $1,000, a judge could waive the penalties if the person charged with the crime completed a parenting class.

Our only issue with the bill that was introduced in the Senate was its language that gives the judge discretion over whether the individual can take a parenting class in lieu of being jailed or being fined; first-time offenders should not have to serve jail time and should have the right to attend a court-approved parenting program. The bill should emphasize education, not punishment, especially in cases where the child isn't harmed. Overall, the bill authored by Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, is a reasonable response, one that acknowledges in today's world that a child should never be left alone in a car -- particularly in Las Vegas during the summer when the heat can quickly cause death, as we've sadly seen before.

Last week the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed the Senate bill, but the committee's amendments to the legislation would render it meaningless. The biggest change the committee made to the bill -- and which effectively guts it -- states that a crime can only occur if a parent intentionally leaves the child in a vehicle. Therefore, those parents who say that it wasn't willful wouldn't be held accountable. Since there already are stronger laws on the books -- that enable prosecutors to seek felony convictions for those who willingly endanger their children, including leaving them unattended in cars -- then what's the point of this amended bill?

Even with all of the media attention and publicity surrounding children left unattended in cars -- and the horrifying consequences when it has resulted in an excruciating death -- parents, grandparents and friends of the family still are leaving children alone. We hope that the full Assembly, when it takes up this bill, takes out the Judiciary Committee's amendments that would weaken the legislation. The Nevada Legislature needs to make it clear the value it places on the lives of children.