HELENA (AP) -- A House committee tabled a bill Thursday that would have allowed police to stop drivers for not buckling up babies and young children.

The law was on the books in Montana until 2003, when lawmakers inadvertently killed it in increasing the age and weight limits for child restraints. Rep. Michele Reinhart, D-Missoula, sponsored the legislation trying to bring it back.

The House Judiciary Committee shelved the bill after it failed on a 9-8 vote.

Opponents said most parents are already buckling up their children and argued it's not the state's job to regulate personal responsibility.

Committee Chairwoman Rep. Diane Rice, R-Harrison, warned it would be hard to enforce.

"There is no law enforcement officer in the world who can look at a car that's driving down the road at 60 mph and make that determination," she said. "They will stop every car with a perceived young child in it."

Supporters said children need to be protected, and argued the state does regulate personal responsibility when it comes to drinking and other behaviors.

"This action of not restraining a child in a car seat causes harm," said Rep. Holly Raser, D-Missoula.

The bill is House Bill 277.