CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM: REAR SEAT H.B. 4450 (H-1):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 4450 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Larry DeShazor
House Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Require that a child in a child restraint system be positioned in a rear seat, as a rule.
-- Delete an exception to the child restraint requirement for a child being nursed.
Except as otherwise provided, the Code requires each driver transporting a child less than four years old in a motor vehicle to secure the child properly in a child restraint system that meets Federal standards.
Under the bill, the driver would have to position the child in the child restraint system in a rear seat, if the vehicle had one. If all available rear seats were occupied by children younger than four, then the child could be positioned in the child restraint system in the front seat. A child in a rear-facing child restraint system could be placed in the front seat only if the front passenger air bag were deactivated.
The current requirement does not apply to a child being nursed. The bill would delete that exception.
MCL 257.710d Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill could result in additional revenue to the State and local units of government. To the extent that there would be increased violations, the bill would result in additional civil infraction fine revenue of up to $10 per violation, courts costs, and a Justice System Fund assessment of $40. The maximum fine for a child restraint violation is $10. Fine revenue from civil infractions under the Michigan Vehicle Code is allocated to public libraries. The local unit of government and the court funding unit share fines resulting from citations for violations of corresponding local ordinances. Justice System Fund assessments are distributed to various justice system-related programs.
Date Completed: 6-23-09 Fiscal Analyst: Lindsay Hollander
floor\hb4450 Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4450/0910