Signed by Governor Henry McMaster

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends regulations on how old a child must be to sit in a forward-facing child restraint in a motor vehicle.

Highlights:

• Requires an infant or child under 2 to be secured in a rear-facing car seat in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child has exceeded the height or weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat (Sec. 1).

• Requires a child 2 or older or a child under 2 who has outgrown his or her rear-facing car seat to be in a forward-facing car seat with a harness in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child has exceed the height or weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat (Sec. 1).

• Requires a child who is at least 4 years old to be secured by a booster seat secured with lap and shoulder belts in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child meets the height and weight requirements for an adult safety belt (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the use of a booster seat with a lap belt alone (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that car seats that meet standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the time of their manufacture are sufficient to meet the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a child 8 years old or older or at least 57 inches tall may use an adult safety belt under the following conditions (Sec. 1):

• The lap belt fits across the child’s hips and thighs and not the child’s abdomen;

• The shoulder belt crosses the child’s chest and not the child’s neck; and

• The child can sit with his or her back against the vehicle seat back cushion with knees bent over the seat’s edge without slouching.

• Specifies that a child with written documentation from a medical professional who is unable to use a standard car seat may use a system designed for the child’s needs (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that portions of  recreational vehicles equipped with temporary living quarters are considered rear passenger seats (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that children under 8 may be transported in the front seat of a vehicle without a rear seat or when all rear seats are taken by children under 8 if the child in the front is in an appropriate car seat (Sec. 2).  

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends regulations on how old a child must be to sit in a forward-facing child restraint in a motor vehicle.

Highlights:

• Requires an infant or child under 2 to be secured in a rear-facing car seat in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child has exceeded the height or weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat (Sec. 1).

• Requires a child 2 or older or a child under 2 who has outgrown his or her rear-facing car seat to be in a forward-facing car seat with a harness in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child has exceed the height or weight limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat (Sec. 1).

• Requires a child who is at least 4 years old to be secured by a booster seat secured with lap and shoulder belts in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child meets the height and weight requirements for an adult safety belt (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the use of a booster seat with a lap belt alone (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that car seats that meet standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the time of their manufacture are sufficient to meet the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a child 8 years old or older or at least 57 inches tall may use an adult safety belt under the following conditions (Sec. 1):

• The lap belt fits across the child’s hips and thighs and not the child’s abdomen;

• The shoulder belt crosses the child’s chest and not the child’s neck; and

• The child can sit with his or her back against the vehicle seat back cushion with knees bent over the seat’s edge without slouching.

• Specifies that a child with written documentation from a medical professional who is unable to use a standard car seat may use a system designed for the child’s needs (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that portions of  recreational vehicles equipped with temporary living quarters are considered rear passenger seats (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that children under 8 may be transported in the front seat of a vehicle without a rear seat or when all rear seats are taken by children under 8 if the child in the front is in an appropriate car seat (Sec. 2).  

Full Bill Text