Cayetano to veto booster seat rules

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Gov. Ben Cayetano intends to veto a bill requiring car booster seats for children up to 8 years old, his press secretary said yesterday.

Cayetano has said he received many phone calls from people both for and against the bill and that there were concerns that it would be too costly for large families.

His press secretary, Kim Murakawa, yesterday said that even proponents of the bill acknowledged to Cayetano that it would be difficult for parents to fit three booster seats in the back seat.

The bill would have required booster seats for children 8 years old and younger, or those who weigh less than 80 pounds.

State law requires car safety seats for children younger than 4.

Police have said seat belts are not designed for small children and can cause internal injuries in an accident if not worn correctly.

Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-17th (Kahala, Wai'alae Iki), a supporter of the bill, said she will submit a bill next year that gradually increases the age of children required to sit in booster seats.

Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-19th (Waipahu, Pearl City), also supported the bill. He said he hoped that the legislation itself raised the level of community awareness about booster seats.

Legislators who opposed the bill, which passed the Senate by a 13-12 vote, said it would create a hardship on large families and that it should be the responsibility of parents and not the government.