Raptakis, Dawson bill signed to protect children from being left alone in vehicles

State House – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis and Rep. Matthew S. Dawson to protect children left unattended in cars was ceremonially signed by Gov. Dan McKee today. Both Senator Raptakis and Representative Dawson worked with Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office to craft the legislation.

The legislation (2026-S 3135, 2026-H 8094) restores law enforcement discretion, allowing officers to issue a verbal warning when appropriate or pursue misdemeanor or felony charges in more egregious cases where a child is left unattended in a motor vehicle.

“Leaving children unattended in a car can have serious consequences for the health and safety of the children. There is a serious danger of abduction and an even greater danger from excessive temperatures inside a car. Now, there are varying degrees in the severity of leaving a child alone in a car, and this bill allows law enforcement to determine if a warning will suffice, or if charges against the parent or guardian are warranted. Animals are protected from being left unattended in a car with extreme temperatures. It’s time we give our children the same protection,” said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich).

“As a former prosecutor, I have witnessed some truly tragic scenes where children were left unattended in a vehicle. In the most extreme circumstances when a child is injured or worse, charges are always warranted. But there are cases where a warning from law enforcement should suffice with the hope that future emergencies will be prevented,” said Representative Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).

Among those who attended today’s event was Terri Sullivan, a registered nurse for nearly 40 years as well as a mother of six children and volunteer for R.I. Disaster Medical Reserve Corp., along with her family. Sullivan contacted Senator Lou Raptakis to bring to his attention to the previous law that protected animals left unattended in cars, but not small children in the same situation. She advocated strongly for the bill in testimony before the House and Senate Judiciary Committee.