The bill amends Section 32-5-222 of the Code of Alabama 1975, enhancing the requirements for child passenger restraint systems and seatbelt use in motor vehicles. Key changes include the correction of the term "insure" to "ensure" regarding the safety responsibilities of automobile manufacturers. The bill specifies that children must be secured in appropriate restraint systems based on their age and weight, with new age and weight thresholds established for various types of seats. For instance, children under two years must be in rear-facing seats until they weigh at least 35 pounds, and booster seats are required until children are at least six years old and meet specific seating conditions. Additionally, it is recommended that children under 13 should not ride in the front seat unless certain conditions are met.

The bill also introduces a structured penalty system for violations, with fines increasing for repeat offenses within a five-year period. A portion of the fines collected will fund vouchers for child passenger restraint systems for low-income families. The legislation emphasizes that the responsibility for ensuring proper restraint lies with the person transporting the child, and it mandates police departments to maintain and report statistics on traffic stops related to these violations. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024, and is exempt from certain financial requirements due to its classification as a crime-related amendment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-5-222, 32-5-222
Engrossed: 32-5-222, 32-5-222