82R6493 JE-D

By: Menendez H.B. No. 1225

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for private passenger vehicle rental companies regarding child safety seats; providing a penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 91.001, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:

(1-a) "Child passenger safety seat system" means an infant or child passenger restraint system that meets the federal standards for crash-tested restraint systems as set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SECTION 2. Chapter 91, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by adding Subchapter B-1 to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B-1. CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS

Sec. 91.071. POSTED NOTICE REQUIRED. A rental company shall post in a conspicuous location at each place of business of the company a notice not smaller than 15 by 20 inches that states the following:

NOTICE: IT IS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW (SECTION 545.412, TRANSPORTATION CODE) TO OPERATE A PASSENGER VEHICLE AND TRANSPORT A CHILD WHO IS YOUNGER THAN 8 YEARS OF AGE WITHOUT SECURING THE CHILD IN A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEM UNLESS THE CHILD IS TALLER THAN 4 FEET, 9 INCHES. THIS COMPANY IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS FOR RENTAL.

Sec. 91.072. RENTAL OF CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS. (a) A rental company shall have available for and, on request, provide for rental to renters traveling with children younger than eight years of age child passenger safety seat systems appropriate for children who are four feet, nine inches, or shorter.

(b) A child passenger safety seat system offered for rent by a rental company must:

(1) be in good and safe condition;

(2) not have missing original parts; and

(3) be not more than five years old.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.