SS SCS SB 916 -- Child Restraints

Sponsor:  Koster

This substitute changes the laws regarding child restraints in
motor vehicles.

The substitute requires children of certain ages, weights, and
heights to be restrained by either a child passenger restraint
system, booster seat, or safety belt.

Children younger than four years of age, regardless of weight,
are required to use an appropriate child passenger restraint
system.  Children weighing less than 40 pounds, regardless of
age, are required to be secured in a child passenger restraint
system appropriate for the child.  Children who are four to seven
years of age and who weigh at least 40 pounds but less than 80
pounds and are less than four feet nine inches tall must be
secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat
appropriate for the child.  Children who weigh at least 80 pounds
or children taller than four feet nine inches must be secured by
a vehicle safety belt or booster seat appropriate for the child.

The substitute allows a child to be transported in the back seat
without a booster seat if the child is secured with a lap belt
when the vehicle is not equipped with a combination lap and
shoulder belt for booster seat installation.

A violation of the child passenger restraint/booster provisions
is an infraction, and the fine will be $50 plus court costs.  The
fine for violating the safety belt provision will be $10.
Charges for violating the child passenger restraint and booster
seat provisions will be dismissed or withdrawn if the driver
provides evidence that he or she acquired a child passenger
restraint system or booster seat prior to or at his or her
hearing.  The substitute does not apply to public carriers for
hire or students four years of age or older who are passengers on
a school bus.

The substitute specifies that if there are more persons than
there are seat belts in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, the
passengers who are unable to wear seat belts must sit in the area
behind the front seat unless the vehicle is designed only for a
front-seated area.  This provision does not apply to passengers
who are accompanying an intermediate driver's license holder.
Currently, all passengers accompanying a intermediate driver's
license holder must be properly restrained.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am