Well meaning but useless

From the Palm Beach Post-

Adults who leave a child unattended in a car could face up to five years in prison under a bill that received final legislative approval on Thursday.

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Under the bill, on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist's desk, anyone who leaves a child 6 years or younger unattended in a car for more than 15 minutes would face a second-degree misdemeanor, with up to a $500 fine.

If the violation resulted in bodily harm, disability or disfigurement.

Child abuse and endangerment laws would seem to already cover this dumb and dangerous practice.

Rick at SOTP writes-

Do Florida legislators really believe that threatening someone with prison for leaving their toddler locked up in a car in sunny, hot and humid Florida, is really going to change their behavior?

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Because, you know, if a child experiencing a slow, painful death from being cooked alive in the family car isn't motivation enough, what effect is being charged with a misdemeanor really going to have?

We live in the Nanny state, Rick. Legislators see the dumb parenting from a couple of idiots and think a law needs to be passed. Arresting the parents is always the solution.(Cue the sarcastic laughter)

Linked to- Bright & Early, Jo, Samantha Burns,