ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Senate wants to prohibit drivers from smoking in cars if a child under the age of 8 is a passenger.
Senators signed off on the bill in a 27-19 vote Wednesday.
Proponents of the legislation said they chose the 8-year-old standard since police officers will know if a child is under 8 years old because until that age children are required to ride in car seats.
Drivers who violate the regulation could be fined up to $50 under the proposed legislation.
Opponents of the bill said it oversteps the boundaries of government by regulating legal behavior in private property.
The bill now moves to Maryland’s House of Delegates for consideration.
