This bill amends Iowa's child restraint laws to enhance safety requirements for children traveling in motor vehicles. It extends the age limit for rear-facing child restraint systems from under one year to under two years, or until the child exceeds the manufacturer's recommended height and weight limits. Additionally, the bill raises the age limit for using a child restraint system from under six years to under eight years. For children aged eight to under eighteen, the bill mandates the use of a child restraint system or an approved safety belt or harness during transit.

Furthermore, the bill removes a provision that previously exempted children in the back seat from being secured if all safety belts were in use or if a child restraint system occupied the seat. A violation of these updated requirements will incur a scheduled fine of $135, and such violations will not affect a driver's license suspension or habitual offender status determinations. Overall, the bill aims to improve child safety in vehicles by tightening the regulations surrounding child restraint devices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.446