By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Sen. Donzella James has been a busy woman this session.

Several of the bills James has introduced this term can be looked upon as quality of life issues and dealing with people in specific situations.

James has introduced a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to leave a child unattended in an auto. The bill stipulates that any person who leaves a child who is 6 or younger unattended in a motor vehicle shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and would be subject to a fine not to exceed $200.

If the person leaves a child unattended in a motor vehicle and the child is fatally injured or causes fatal injury to another person by causing a collision, the person would be guilty of a felony and would be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 20 years.

James also is taking on alcohol drinking in automobiles. The senator wants to outlaw any drinking or possession of any open container of alcohol in a vehicle unless the vehicle is designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for a fee.

Another bill that James has introduced would make it easier to identify who bought kegs of beer and where they were sold.

Each keg sold at a retail store would be labeled with the name and address of the retail licensee and an engraved identification number.

Additionally, each retailer would require each keg purchaser to present positive identification at the time of purchase. The retailer would then record for each keg sale the date of sale, the size of keg, the keg identification number, the amount of container deposit, the name, address, and date of birth of the purchaser, and the form of identification presented by such purchaser.

The purchaser would also have to sign a statement at the time of purchase saying that all information presented was accurate and acknowledging that misuse of the keg or its contents may result in civil liability, criminal prosecution or both.

James, along with South Fulton's other senator, Greg Hecht, also sponsored a bill that recognizes South Fulton County Legislative Day at the Capitol Feb. 15.

The two senators also sponsored a measure that honors Fulton County School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Dollinger as the state's superintendent of the year.