Bill > S3196

Introduced Session

This bill requires all new passenger automobiles manufactured in this State to be equipped with a rear-seat detection system that detects the presence of an unattended occupant in the passenger compartment of the automobile and engages a warning to alert the driver. Under the bill, the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would be required to prescribe the functional design specifications to be included in the rear-seat detection system. However, the bill requires the rear-seat detection system to: (1) be capable of detecting the presence of an unattended occupant in the passenger compartment of the passenger automobile after the vehicle engine or motor is deactivated; (2) include auditory, visual, and haptic warnings to notify individuals inside and outside of the passenger automobile of the presence of an unattended occupant within the automobile; and (3) be unable to be disabled, overrode, reset, or recalibrated to prevent the detection or warning of the presence of an unattended occupant. The bill also permits the chief administrator to require the rear-seat detection system to include an additional warning to alert emergency response agencies in the general vicinity of the automobile and provide the geographical location of the automobile in a manner that allows for an emergency response. This bill would take effect two years after the date of enactment. Any passenger automobile manufactured before this date would not be required to install a rear-seat detection system.

Committee Categories

Britnee Timberlake (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 05/09/2024)

Official Document