HB18INTRODUCED
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HB18
QV8G554-1
By Representative Bolton
RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
First Read: 04-Feb-25
PFD: 08-Jul-24
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6 QV8G554-1 06/18/2024 CMH (L) bm 2024-1845
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PFD: 08-Jul-24
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, children are required to
use child passenger restraint systems based on their
age and weight. Specifically, children are required to
use rear facing car seats until at least one year of
age or 20 pounds; are required to use front facing
convertible seats until at least five years of age or
40 pounds; and are required to use booster seats until
at least six years of age.
This bill would revise the weight and age
ranges for determining the appropriate child restraint
system and would increase penalties associated with a
violation.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to amend Section 32-5-222,
Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the requirement
to use child passenger restraint systems and seatbelts; and to
increase penalties for a violation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 32-5-222, Code of Alabama 1975, is
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Section 1. Section 32-5-222, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"ยง32-5-222
(a) Every person transporting a child in a motor
vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this
state, shall provide for the protection of the child by
properly using an aftermarket or integrated child passenger
restraint system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle
safety standards and the requirements of subsection (b). This
section shall not be interpreted to release in part or in
whole the responsibility of an automobile manufacturer to
insure ensure the safety of children to a level at least
equivalent to existing federal safety standards for adults. In
no event shall failure to wear a child passenger restraint
system be considered as contributory negligence. The term
"motor vehicle" as used in this section shall include a
passenger car, pickup truck, van (seating capacity of 10 or
less), minivan, or sports utility vehicle.
(b) The size appropriate restraint system required for
a child in subsection (a) must meet the requirements of
Section 32-5B-4 and shall include all of the following:
(1) Infant only seats and convertible seats used in the
rear facing position for infants until the child is at least
one yeartwo years of age or 20 pounds35 pounds in weight . In
the event that a child less than two years of age weighs more
than the recommended weight rating for the infant seat, but
less than 35 pounds, a convertible seat must be used.
(2) Convertible seats in the forward position or
forward facing seats until the child is at least five years of
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forward facing seats until the child is at least five years of
age or 40 pounds65 pounds in weight .
(3) BoosterBelt positioning booster seats until the
child is at least six years of age and can satisfy all of the
following conditions:
a. The child is able to sit all the way back against
the vehicle seat.
b. The child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of
the seat.
c. The seatbelt crosses the child's shoulder between
the neck and arm.
d. The lap belt is able to lay flat across the child's
upper thighs.
e. The child is able to stay seated as described in
this subdivision for the entire trip .
(4) Seat belts until 15 years of age for every other
individual, except as provided under Section 32-5B-4(b) .
(c) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a)
and (b), it is recommended that no child under 13 years of age
ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle, and further
recommended that the child should ride in the second or third
row of the motor vehicle, unless either of the following
circumstances exist:
(1) The motor vehicle does not have a second row of
seats.
(2) Circumstances require the child to use the front
seat, including when all otherwise available second or third
row seats are full or are equipped with a child passenger
restraint system not applicable to the child.
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restraint system not applicable to the child.
(c)(d)No provision of this This section shall not be
construed as creatingto create any duty, standard of care,
right, or liability between parent and child that is not
recognized under the laws of the State of Alabama as they
presently exist, or may, at any time in the future, be
constituted by statute or decision .
(d)(e) Any person violating the provisions of this
section shall be required to attend a court hearing on the
violation, which may not be waived.
(f)(1)a. On a first violation, the person may be fined
twenty-five dollars ($25) for each offense .
b. On a second violation within a five-year period, the
person shall be fined fifty dollars ($50).
c. On a third violation within a five-year period, the
person shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100).
d. On a four or subsequent violation within a five-year
period, the person shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars
($150).
(2) The chargesUpon a first violation only, the charge
may be dismissed by the trial judge hearing the case and no
court costs shall be assessed upon proof of acquisition of an
appropriate child passenger restraint.
(e)(g) Fifteen dollars ($15) of a fine imposed under
subsection (d)(f) shall be used to distribute vouchers for
size appropriate child passenger restraint systems to families
of limited income in the state. The fifteen dollars ($15)
shall be deposited in the State Treasury to be distributed by
the state Comptroller to the Department of Public Health,
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the state Comptroller to the Department of Public Health,
which shall administer the program free of charge.
(f)(h) Nothing The provisions of this section
notwithstanding, nothing contained herein in this section
shall be deemed a violation of any law which that would
otherwise nullify or change in any way the provisions or
coverage of any insurance contract.
(g)(i) For the purpose of identifying habitually
negligent drivers and habitual or frequent violators, the
Department of Public Safety Secretary of the Alabama State Law
Enforcement Agency shall assess the following points:
(1) Violation of child safety restraint requirements,
first offense ......................1 point.
(2) Violation of child safety restraint requirements,
second or subsequent offense .............2 points.
(h)(j) Every person transporting a child shall be
responsible for assuring ensuring that each child is properly
restrained pursuant to this section . The provisions shall ;
provided, this subsection does not apply to taxis and allor
motor vehicles with a seating capacity of 11 or more
passengers.
(i)(k) Each state, county, and municipal police
department shall maintain statistical information on traffic
stops of minorities pursuant to this section, and shall report
that information monthly to the Department of Public
SafetyAlabama State Law Enforcement Agency and the Office of
the Attorney General."
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.
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