According to the Patch newspapers, State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) will re-introduce a bill in the upcoming session to make it illegal to leave a child under age 7 unattended in a car for more than 15 minutes.
The penalties could include up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Ironically, a similar law has already been passed for animals, Raptakis pointed out.
Channel 10 notes that Rhode Island would join 19 states that have laws against leaving young children in cars alone. 10’s story, however, also notes there is loud opposition to the bill, as well.
