Change to state car-seat law could benefit poor families

BOISE – An Idaho senator says the state could get federal money to purchase safety seats for low-income families, but the state car seat law would have to be changed.

Sagle Republican Sen. Joyce Broadsword told the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday that federal money would depend on changing a law that allows children under 6 to be out of a safety seat if there are not enough seat belts in the vehicle or if the child has needs that have to be tended to, such as breast-feeding.

Broadsword has tried unsuccessfully to pass similar legislation.

St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center Administrator Jerry Hirschfeld told the Associated Press that Idaho could qualify for almost $250,000 in federal money.

He said that would purchase more than 8,000 car seats for families that cannot afford them.