Bill > S1521

This bill establishes a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: (1) Imposing a $50 fine on any person who operates or rides as a passenger in a motor vehicle without wearing a seat belt, and an additional $50 fine for each unbelted passenger under 16 years old. (2) Allowing law enforcement to enforce the seat belt requirement and issue citations, but prohibiting them from using seat belt violations as the sole reason to search a vehicle or its occupants. (3) Depositing the fees from these citations into the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund. The law will take effect 180 days after the bill's passage.