The bill amends RCW 9.91.060 to establish penalties for leaving minor children unattended in a vehicle. It specifies that any person responsible for a child under the age of 12 who leaves them in a parked car unattended while entering a tavern or similar establishment will be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Additionally, it introduces a new provision stating that a person who leaves a child under the age of nine unattended in a parked vehicle will be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Furthermore, the bill includes an appropriation of $100,000 from the general fund to the Department of Health for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This funding is intended to promote awareness about the dangers of leaving young children unattended in vehicles, thereby enhancing public safety and child welfare.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9.91.060