Carlucci Introduces Bill To Require All Vehicles Have Rear A Rear Seat Detection System To Remind Parents If A Child Is Left In The Backseat

(Albany, NY) – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) has introduced legislation (S.6642) requiring automobile manufacturers install a rear seat detection system on every motor vehicle sold in New York State. Now if a child or pet is left in the backseat, a driver is automatically reminded to check by some form of an alert.
 
The legislation, called the Heatstroke Elimination Awareness Technology (HEAT) Act, will require automobile manufacturers be in compliance with the mandate by July 1, 2021.
 
New vehicles without the technology cannot be registered in New York State, while used or older model vehicles will be grandfathered in and can still be driven. 
 
“Being a parent, and seeing what happened to a New City father, motivated me to bring this legislation forward,” said Senator Carlucci. “We know the technology exists, and its time, a rear seat detection system come standard on vehicles just like seat belts or airbags. If car manufactures want to continue to do business in New York State, then they will have to comply with the law.”
 
“AAA New York State supports the goals of Senator Carlucci’s legislation, and we will be working with him to address the problem in order to prevent future tragedies from occurring,” said John Corlett Chairman of AAA New York State’s Legislative Committee.
 
The legislation was motivated by the tragic death of 1-year-old twins, Luna and Phoenix from New City. The children were found dead after being left by their father, Juan Rodriguez, in the back of a hot car for several hours in the Bronx. Rodriguez, an Iraq war veteran, went to work at the veterans hospital in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx and claimed the incident was an accident. He was charged with two felony counts of second-degree manslaughter, two felony counts of criminally negligent homicide, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
 
According to KidsAndCars.org, more than 900 children have died in hot cars nationwide since 1990. The deadliest year on record was 2018. Last year, 53 children died of heatstroke, and on average, 38 children die per year as the result of being left in a hot car.
 
So far this year, 26 children have died as the result of being left in a hot car. The temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees and children have died from heatstroke in cars in temps as low as 60 degrees. Pediatric vehicular heatstroke occurs when a child's body temperature rises to 104 degrees. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration cites a temperature of 107 degrees is deadly.
 
While there is federal legislation to study rear seat detection system technology, Carlucci’s bill will direct manufacturers to use the technology that they have available to them now.
 
Carlucci’s legislation could move forward as early as January.