This bill amends Iowa's existing laws regarding the use of safety belts and safety harnesses in motor vehicles. It expands the requirement for all passengers aged 18 and older to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt or safety harness while the vehicle is in motion, replacing the previous specification that only applied to drivers and front seat occupants. The bill also updates the language throughout the relevant code sections to ensure consistency, changing terms like "front seat occupants" to "passengers." Additionally, it modifies the exceptions to the safety belt requirements and clarifies the penalties for violations, including provisions for passengers who are unable to fasten their safety belts due to disabilities.

Furthermore, the bill removes an exemption that allowed children in the back seat to go unrestrained if all safety belts were occupied or if a child restraint system was in use. It also specifies that violations of the safety belt law carry a scheduled fine of $70, while violations related to child restraint devices incur a $135 fine. Importantly, the Department of Transportation is prohibited from considering these violations when determining a driver's license suspension or habitual offender status.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.445