- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 586
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT REVISING CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS; REQUIRING THE USE OF A CHILD
SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN UNDER CERTAIN AGE THRESHOLDSCERTAIN AGE
THRESHOLDS; PROVIDING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES AND CIRCUMSTANCES FROM
CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 61-
9-419, 61-9-420, AND 61-9-421, MCA.”
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 61-9-419, MCA, is amended to read:
"61-9-419. (1) As used in 61-9-420 through 61-9-423
and this section, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Booster seat" means a child safety restraint system that meets applicable federal motor
vehicle safety standards and is designed to provide belt-positioning that elevates a child to be properly seated
with a safety belt.
(b) "Child safety restraint system" means a device that:
(i) meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards; and
(ii) is appropriate to the age of the child being restrained, as provided in 61-9-420.
(c) (i) "properly restrained" "Properly restrained" means fastened in a manner prescribed by the
manufacturer of the child safety restraint system that permits the child safety restraint system to act as a body
restraint, but.
(ii) The term does not mean a system in which the only body restraint is a safety belt of the type
required by 61-9-409.
(d) "Secured with a safety belt" means restrained or secured by a seat belt that:
(i) meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards; and - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 586
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
ENROLLED BILL
(ii) is properly adjusted and fastened ,,
in the vehicle."
Section 2. Section 61-9-420, MCA, is amended to read:
"61-9-420. (1) Each motor vehicle
passenger who is under 6 years of age and weighs less than 60 pounds must be transported and properly
restrained in a child safety restraint. The child safety restraint must be appropriate for the height and weight of
the child as indicated by manufacturer standards. A motor vehicle passenger who is under 2 years of age must
be properly restrained in a rear-facing child safety restraint system that complies with federal motor vehicle
safety standards. .. ..
(2) A motor vehicle passenger who is between 2 years of age and up to 4 years of age must be
properly restrained in a rear-facing or forward-facing child safety restraint system with an internal harness that
complies with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(3) A motor vehicle passenger who is between 4 years of age and up to 8 years of age must be
properly restrained in a forward-facing child safety restraint system with an internal harness or a child booster
seat that is secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt, whichever is applicable, that complies with federal
motor vehicle safety standards.
(4) A motor vehicle passenger who is at least 9 years of age or has outgrown the height or weight
limits of a child booster seat as set by the manufacturer, whichever comes first, must be secured with a motor
vehicle adult safety belt.
(5) A child safety restraint system pursuant to 61-9-419 through 61-9-423 must be installed,
adjusted, and used according to the manufacturer instructions.
(2) The department shall by rule establish standards in compliance with 61-9-419 through 61-9-
423 and applicable federal standards for approved types of child safety restraint systems.
(3)(6) The department may by rule exempt from the requirements of subsection (1) this section a
child who because of a physical or medical condition or body size cannot be placed in a child safety restraint
system." - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 586
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 586
ENROLLED BILL
Section 3. Section 61-9-421, MCA, is amended to read:
"61-9-421. Section 61-9-420 is not applicable to a vehicle that as follows:
(1) if a vehicle is a motorbus motor home, schoolbus school bus, taxicab, farm tractor, bicycle,
moped, quadricycle, or motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle or is not required to be equipped with safety belts
under 49 CFR 571 as it reads on January 1, 1984 January 3, 2025;
(2) if a vehicle is an ambulance or other emergency vehicle designated or authorized by the
department; or
(2) has a seating capacity as designated by the manufacturer of two persons and there are two
persons 4 years of age or older in the vehicle.
(3) if an emergency exists that threatens the life of a person operating a motor vehicle to whom
this section would otherwise apply or the life of a child who would otherwise be required to be properly
restrained as provided in 61-9-420."
- END - I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 586, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025. HOUSE BILL NO. 586
INTRODUCED BY M. LEE, J. REAVIS, B. EDWARDS, J. ISALY, P. STRAND, T. CROWE, J. SECKINGER, B.
CLOSE, P. ELVERUM, S. FYANT, J. WEBER, J. SOOKTIS, A. GRIFFITH, M. CUNNINGHAM, E. TILLEMAN,
E. MATTHEWS, T. RUNNING WOLF, F. SMITH, M. FOX, K. ZOLNIKOV, D. BAUM, M. CAFERRO, B.
CARTER, J. COHENOUR, N. DURAM, D. HAWK, S. HOWELL, J. KARLEN, C. KEOGH, M. ROMANO, E.
STAFMAN, K. SULLIVAN, Z. ZEPHYR, M. MARLER, S. DEMAROIS, D. JOY, C. FITZPATRICK
AN ACT REVISING CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS; REQUIRING THE USE OF A CHILD
SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN UNDER CERTAIN AGE THRESHOLDSCERTAIN AGE
THRESHOLDS; PROVIDING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES AND CIRCUMSTANCES FROM CHILD
SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM LAWS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 61-9-419,
61-9-420, AND 61-9-421, MCA.”