Chapter 2Offenses

Section § 15620

Explanation

This law states that a child aged 6 or younger must not be left alone in a car without supervision from someone at least 12 years old if it puts their health or safety at risk or if the car's engine is running or keys are in the ignition.

If someone breaks this law, they face a $100 fine. However, the court might lower or cancel the fine if the person can show they have financial difficulties, and instead, they might need to complete an educational program about the dangers of leaving young kids alone in cars and provide proof of completion to the court.

Also, more severe charges can apply if the child is injured due to being left alone in the car.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, under either of the following circumstances:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(a)(1) Where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(a)(2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle’s keys are in the ignition, or both.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100), except that the court may reduce or waive the fine if the defendant establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he or she is economically disadvantaged and the court, instead, refers the defendant to a community education program that includes education on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles, and provides certification of completion of that program. Upon completion of that program, the defendant shall provide that certification to the court. The court may, at its discretion, require any defendant described in this section to attend an education program on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under both this section and Section 192 of the Penal Code, or Section 273a of that code, or any other provision of law.
(d)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 15620(d)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 15620(d)(1) Subdivision (b) and Section 40000.1 do not apply if an unattended child is injured or medical services are rendered on that child because of a violation described in subdivision (a).
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 15620(d)(2) Nothing in this subdivision precludes prosecution under any other provision of law.
child left in car leaving children unattended car safety for children supervision of children in vehicles child safety risks car engine running keys in ignition fine for leaving child in car educational program financial hardship child injury in vehicle prosecution under Penal Code community education requirement supervising minor risk to child's health
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 664, Sec. 222. Effective January 1, 2003.)