Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the age requirement for the use of child restraints in motor vehicles, effective July 1, 2011.

Highlights:

• Requires every driver of a motor vehicle other than a taxi cab or public transit vehicle who transports a child under 8 years of age to restrain the child in a child passenger restraint system, whereas existing law only required drivers to restrain children under 6 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Requires buses operated by a licensed child care facility, but that are not school buses or multifunction school activities buses, to properly restrain each child over 4 years of age and under 8 years of age by a child passenger restraining system, whereas existing law only required children over 4 years of age and under 6 years of age to be restrained by a safety belt (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes courts to waive the $50 fine for a conviction under this act for children who are 6 or 7 years old, whereas existing law authorized courts to waive the fine for children who were 5 years old (Sec. 1).

• Requires each minor 8 years of age or older to be restrained by a seat safety belt, whereas existing law required each minor 6 years of age or older to be restrained by a seat safety belt (Sec. 2).

• This act is effective July 1, 2011, however it will not apply to buses used to transport children over 4 years of age until July 1, 2012 (Secs. 1 and 3).

Full Bill Text