Bill > H368

This bill revises North Carolina's child passenger restraint system law to provide more comprehensive and detailed safety guidelines for transporting children in motor vehicles. The bill defines a child passenger restraint system as any device designed to restrain or position a child, including booster seats, and establishes new age, height, and positioning requirements. Specifically, children under eight years old and less than 57 inches tall must be secured in a height and weight appropriate restraint system, with specific rules for rear-facing and forward-facing car seats based on the manufacturer's instructions. The bill also clarifies when children can be placed in a vehicle's front seat, such as when there is no rear seat or when the car seat is designed for use with front airbags. Additionally, the bill provides guidance on when children can transition to using seat belts, including requirements that the lap belt fit across the thighs and hips, the shoulder belt cross diagonally across the body, and the child be able to sit with a straight back and bent knees. The new law will become effective on December 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date, giving parents and caregivers time to adapt to the new safety standards.

Government Affairs, Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H368