Car seat law revamp could help poor Idaho families

Monday, February 16, 2009

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ An Idaho senator says the state could get to money to purchase safety seats for low income families from the federal government, but the state car seat law would have to be changed.

Sagle Republican Sen. Joyce Broadsword told the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday that federal money would be dependent on changing a state law that allows children under six to be out of a safety seat if there are not enough seat belts in the vehicle or if the child has needs that have to be tended to, such as breast feeding.

Broadsword has tried unsuccessfully before on similar legislation.

St. Luke's Regional Medical Center Administrator Jerry Hirschfeld told the Associated Press that Idaho could qualify for almost $250,000 in federal money. He said that would purchase over 8,000 car seats for families that cannot afford them.