HLS 12RS-702 ENGROSSED
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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 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 197
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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))