INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to smoke in your own vehicle if you have a small child with you.
The bill, introduced by State Senators Jim Merritt (R) and Eddie Melton (D), would require anyone convicted of smoking in a motor vehicle with a child that was 6 years old or younger to pay up to a $1,000 fine.
The fine would get bumped up to $10,000 after your fourth offense in a 12-month period.
If passed, Indiana would be the 10th state to establish a similar law.
According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, the other nine states include:
- Arkansas (For a child under 14)
- Maine (For a child under 16)
- Utah (For a child under 16)
- California (For a child under 18)
- Oregon (For a child under 18)
- Vermont (For a child under 9)
- Louisiana (For a child under 13)
- Puerto Rico (For a child under 18)
- Virginia (For a child under 8)
