Bill > S1699

This bill establishes a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts that allows law enforcement to stop and fine drivers and passengers for not wearing seat belts, even if no other traffic violation has occurred. Under this law, any person 16 years or older who is not wearing a safety belt while in a motor vehicle can be fined $50. Additionally, vehicle operators can be fined an extra $50 for each passenger between 12 and 16 years old who is not wearing a seat belt. The law includes important protections: seat belt violations will not result in insurance premium increases, and police cannot use a seat belt violation as a pretext to search a vehicle or its occupants. The fines collected from these citations will be deposited into the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund. The bill will take effect 180 days after its enactment, giving time for public education and awareness about the new primary enforcement mechanism.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1699