BY PAIGE BAXTER/CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE

baxtercp@vcu.edu

 

RICHMOND—A Senate bill that would have banned smoking in cars carrying children under age 15 was tabled Friday by a House committee.

Proposed by Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, the bill had passed the Senate on Jan. 31 on a vote of 30-10. It then “crossed over” to the House for consideration.

Initially, the bill was assigned to the House Courts of Justice Committee. On Wednesday, that panel sent the bill to the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee.

On Friday, the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee tabled the legislation by voice vote. That likely kills the issue for this legislative session.

The bill sought to prohibit adults from smoking in a motor vehicle when a minor under 15 is present. Violators would have been subject to a $100 civil penalty.