AB 400

Under current law, with certain exceptions, no child under the age of eight years

may be transported in a motor vehicle unless the child is properly restrained in a

child safety restraint system (car seat) or booster seat or by a safety belt (seat belt).

The type of restraint system required depends on the age and size of the child, with

more protective systems required for younger or smaller children and less protective

systems required for older or larger children. A child who is:

1. Less than one year old or who weighs less than 20 pounds must be properly

restrained in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle if the vehicle is

equipped with a back seat.

2. At least one year old and weighs at least 20 pounds but is less than four years

old or weighs less than 40 pounds must be properly restrained in either a rear-facing

or forward-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle if the vehicle is equipped

with a back seat.

3. At least four years old but less than eight years old, weighs between 40 and

80 pounds, and is no more than four feet nine inches tall must be properly restrained

in a booster seat or in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat in the back seat of the

vehicle if the vehicle is equipped with a back seat.

4. Under the age of eight and exceeds the weight or height limits specified in

item 3, above, must be properly restrained by a seat belt or in a car seat or booster

seat as described above.

Under this bill, item 1, above, is expanded to cover children who are less than

two years old and the 20-pound weight limit referenced in items 1 and 2, above, is

replaced with the heights and weights recommended by the manufacturer of the

restraint system.