Use of child safety restraint systems in motor vehicles and providing a penalty. (FE)

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 modified to cover children until at least age two and to require that such children be properly restrained in a rear-facing child safety restraint system appropriate for the child's weight and height. Item 2, above, is modified to cover all children who are less than four years old or who weigh less than 40 pounds, but that are not subject to item 1. Item 3, above, is modified to cover all children who are not covered by item 1 or 2, but who are less than eight years old or less than 57 inches in height.