COLUMBIA | A bill that would require babies and small children to be secured to a motorcycle with seat belts is meeting fierce resistance with South Carolina lawmakers.

South Carolina state Rep. Joseph Daning recently filed legislation that would require a standard, rear-facing child safety seat to be used for motorcycle passengers from birth up to 1 year of age.

For riders younger than 7 weighing 40-80 pounds, Daning's proposal calls for a belt-positioning booster seat with both lap and shoulder belts.

The bill, Daning said, was prompted by constituents asking for it.

"They were concerned about an ex-spouse taking their children on motorcycles. I got to looking into it and I said, 'You know, it makes a lot of sense,'" said the lawmaker.

"We take care of our children (in cars), but they're so unprotected on the back of motorcycles."

This week, Rep. Bill Taylor, called Daning's proposal "government overreach" and said motorcyclists are a safety-conscious community.

"The question is why do we need a law?" said Taylor. "Who in their right mind would take a 1- or 2-year-old on a motorcycle and risk the safety of that child?"

He said he's been riding for decades and has never seen an infant placed on a motorcycle.

Taylor said that when the issue was first raised, he suggested the constituent concerns would be better handled by a family court judge instead of through legislation.

However, child-safety advocates support Daning's efforts.

Jeff Allen, who is on the board of directors of the Children's Trust of South Carolina, said his agency "wholeheartedly" supports the bill.

"There should be a law in the state that sets a minimum age for riding on a motorcycle, mopeds as well," said Allen.

In South Carolina, 25 children required emergency medical attention due to motorcycle injuries, according to state data from 2007 through 2009, which does not indicate whether any of the children died.