Bill > SB497

This bill modifies Missouri's child passenger safety law by updating requirements for securing children in vehicles. The bill defines key terms such as "child booster seat" and "child passenger restraint system" and establishes new age and size-based guidelines for child safety restraints. Specifically, the bill now requires children under two years old to be in rear-facing car seats (with an exception for children who exceed the manufacturer's rear-facing height/weight limits), mandates child passenger restraint systems for children under four years old or weighing less than 40 pounds, and requires booster seats for children between four and eight years old who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds and are less than 4'9" tall. The bill also specifies that children who are at least 80 pounds, 4'9" tall, or eight years old can use a standard vehicle safety belt. Violations of these requirements can result in fines up to $50, and the law excludes public carriers and school buses with certain specifications. The bill aims to improve child safety by aligning restraint requirements with current best practices in child passenger protection.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=288310