Bill > HB586

This bill updates Montana's child safety restraint system laws by establishing detailed age-based requirements for children's transportation safety. For children under 2 years old, the bill mandates use of a rear-facing child safety restraint system compliant with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Children between 2 and 4 years old must use either a rear-facing or forward-facing child safety restraint system with an internal harness. Children between 4 and 8 years old are required to use either a forward-facing child safety restraint system or a booster seat secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt. Once a child reaches 9 years old or outgrows the manufacturer's booster seat height/weight limits, they must be secured with an adult safety belt. The bill also provides definitions for key terms like "booster seat" and "child safety restraint system" and includes exemptions for specific vehicle types such as motor homes, school buses, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles, as well as circumstances where an emergency threatens the life of the vehicle operator or child. Additionally, the bill allows the department to exempt children who cannot be placed in a child safety restraint system due to physical or medical conditions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4324