BILL REQ. #:  H-1692.1 

Read first time 02/12/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring the availability of child restraint systems by rental car businesses; amending RCW 46.87.023; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.87.023 and 1994 c 227 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Rental car businesses must register with the department of licensing. This registration must be renewed annually by the rental car business.
     (2) Rental cars must be titled and registered under the provisions of chapters 46.12 and 46.16 RCW. The vehicle must be identified at the time of application with the rental car company business number issued by the department.
     (3) Use of rental cars is restricted to the rental customer unless otherwise provided by rule.
     (4) The department may suspend or cancel the exemptions, benefits, or privileges granted under this section to a rental car business that violates the laws of this state relating to the operation or registration of vehicles or rules lawfully adopted thereunder. The department may initiate and conduct audits, investigations, and enforcement actions as may be reasonably necessary for administering this section.
     (5) Rental car businesses must at all times have a sufficient number of child restraint systems, as defined in RCW 46.61.687, available to meet the reasonably expected demand by rental car customers, and must provide these child restraint systems for no additional charge. The requirement for the availability of a sufficient number of child restraint systems may be met through contractual agreements between rental car businesses, so long as the child restraint systems are provided to rental car customers in a timely manner.
     (6) The department shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act takes effect January 1, 2010.