This bill amends several sections of South Dakota law regarding the use of safety seat belts in passenger vehicles, particularly focusing on the requirements for securing children and young passengers. It specifies that operators of passenger vehicles transporting children under five years of age must secure them in a child passenger restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Additionally, it establishes that operators must ensure passengers aged five to eighteen are wearing properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belts at all times when the vehicle is in motion. Violations of these provisions are classified as Class 2 misdemeanors, replacing previous designations of petty offenses.

The bill also repeals a section that mandated enforcement of seat belt laws as a secondary action by law enforcement agencies, thereby allowing for more direct enforcement. Furthermore, it clarifies that violations of the seat belt requirements are not considered moving traffic offenses under existing law. Overall, the bill aims to enhance child safety in vehicles and streamline the enforcement of seat belt regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/30/2025: 32-37-1, 32-37-1.1, 32-37-1.2, 32-37-1.3, 32-38-1, 32-38-5