Tougher penalties to protect Vic kids
Victorians who leave children in hot cars will now face up to six months in prison.
Alternatively, offenders could be fined as much as $3690, the state government says.
Vulnerable children in care will also be protected by new penalties introduced by the government.
People who harbour or conceal a child, or who induce a child to be absent from care without lawful authority, will now face increased fines of $3690 and six months jail.
"These new laws will give authorities greater powers to deter, punish or detain those who would seek to do harm to vulnerable young Victorians," Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos told AAP.
"There is no good reason for an adult to willingly harbour a child or conceal them from authorities.
"The terrible truth is that adults who do this do not have the child's best interests at heart."
The changes, part of the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Permanent Care and Other Matters) Act, were passed last year but not proclaimed by the former government.
