HLS 12RS-702 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2012 HOUSE BILL NO. 197 BY REPRESENTATIVE HENRY BURNS MTR VEHICLE/SEAT BELTS: Requires all occupants of a motor vehicle to wear safety belts AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 32:295.1(A) and (B), relative to seat belts; to require all2 passengers in motor vehicles to wear a seat belt; to prohibit a driver from3 transporting more passengers than a motor vehicle has seat belts; and to provide for4 related matters.5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6 Section 1. R.S. 32:295.1(A) and (B) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as7 follows:8 ยง295.1. Safety belt use; tags indicating exemption9 A.(1) Each driver of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck10 having a gross weight of ten thousand pounds or less, commonly referred to as a11 pickup truck, in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her12 body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion. The provisions of this13 Section shall not apply to those cars, vans, or pickups manufactured prior to January14 1, 1981.15 (2) A person operating or riding in an autocycle shall wear seatbelts while16 in forward motion.17 (3) Each driver of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck having18 a gross weight of ten thousand pounds or less, commonly referred to as a pickup19 HLS 12RS-702 ORIGINAL HB NO. 197 Page 2 of 2 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. truck, shall not transport more persons than there are safety belts available in the1 vehicle.2 B. Except as provided by R.S. 32:295 for children under the age of thirteen3 or as otherwise provided by law, each occupant of a passenger car, van, sports utility4 vehicle, or truck having a gross weight of ten thousand pounds or less, commonly5 referred to as a pickup truck, in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened6 about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion, if a belt for7 his seating space has been provided by the manufacturer.8 * * *9 DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] Henry Burns HB No. 197 Abstract: Provides that each passenger in certain motor vehicles shall have a seat belt available. Present law provides that each driver of a passenger car, van, or truck having a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less, commonly referred to as a pickup truck, in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion. Proposed law adds sports utility vehicle to present law. Proposed law provides that each driver of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck having a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less, commonly referred to as a pickup truck, shall not transport more persons than there are safety belts for in the vehicle. Present law provides that, unless required to be in a child passenger restraint, each occupant of a passenger car, van, or truck having a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less, commonly referred to as a pickup truck, in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion, if a belt for his seating space has been provided by the manufacturer. Proposed law adds sports utility vehicle to present law. (Amends R.S. 32:295.1(A) and (B))