Safe Kids Kansas earns national award
Coalition promoting child safety recognized for passage of booster seat bill

A coalition of state and local organizations devoted to enhancing child safety has received national recognition for its efforts, Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced today.

For its work in ensuring passage of Kansas’ new law requiring the use of booster seats for small children, Safe Kids Kansas was honored with the inaugural Dr. Robert Sanders Award for Outstanding Public Policy Achievement in Child Passenger Safety by Safe Kids Worldwide.

“The members of Safe Kids Kansas are all united in their commitment to making our state a great place for kids to grow up.  They should feel proud to have earned this award, but more importantly, they should be proud because the booster seat law they helped push through the Legislature will save children’s lives,” Sebelius said.

The booster seat law requires appropriate safety restraints for children up to 8 years old who weigh less than 80 pounds or are less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.  Sebelius signed it into law on March 27, 2006 and it took effect July 1.

Safe Kids Kansas is a coalition of safety advocacy groups led by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  Other coalition members include the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Department of Transportation Safety Belt Education Office, and Kansas Action for Children.  There are a number of local Safe Kids coalitions and chapters in Kansas, as well.

“It is very gratifying to see the hard work of the coalition members of Safe Kids Kansas recognized by this prestigious national award,” said KDHE Secretary Roderick L. Bremby. “That hard work, which took place over several years, resulted in the passage of the booster seat law that together with existing child passenger seat laws will protect our children.”

Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator accepted the award at the Safe Kids Worldwide Leadership Conference held in Washington, D.C. on October 19, 2006.  

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