SCS/SB 493 - This act specifies that children under the age of 2 years riding in motor vehicles shall be secured in rear-facing child passenger restraint systems; except that the child may be secured in a front-facing system once the child reaches the highest rear-facing weight or height established by the restraint system's manufacturer.

The act also repeals a provision specifying that a person shall not be in violation of the child passenger restraint law if, when transporting children in the immediate family and there are more children than seating positions in the vehicle, the children who are unable to be restrained by an appropriate child safety restraint are seated in the area behind the front seat of the vehicle unless the vehicle is designed only for a front seating area.

This act is similar to HB 1055 (2021), HB 2199 (2020), HB 621 (2019), HB 848 (2019), SB 1076 (2018), and HB 2304 (2018).

ERIC VANDER WEERD

Statutes affected:
Introduced (2369S.01): 307.179

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 493
Sponsor: Gannon
Hearing Date: 3/9/2021


COMMITTEE: Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety

CHAIRMAN: Brown

DATE REFERRED: 3/4/2021 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 3/4/2021



STAFF:
Ashley Bax
Mary Grace Bruntrager
Eric Vander Weerd


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland - Missouri State Medical Association
Jessica Petrie - St. Louis Children's Hospital (part of BJC Healthcare)
Arnie C. AC "Honest-Abe" DIENOFF - State Public Advocate-
Craig Stevenson - Kids Win Missouri
Garrett Webb - Missouri Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Jay Wunderlich - Missouri Department of Transportation


WITNESSES AGAINST: