FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5879

                          C 274 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Conforming state law on child passenger restraint systems to the Uniform Vehicle Code.

SPONSORS: Senators A. Smith, Spanel, Deccio and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

BACKGROUND:

Children under one year of age are required to be restrained in a separate child passenger restraint device. Children who are one year of age through four years of age may be restrained with a properly adjusted and fastened, federally approved seat belt.

There is concern that seat belts do not provide adequate protection to children under four years of age.

SUMMARY:

A child less than two years old is required to be restrained in a child restraint system that is in compliance with the United States Department of Transportation standards.  The child restraint system must be secured in the vehicle according to instructions from the manufacturer of the child restraint system.

A child who is less than six years old but at least two years old is required to be restrained either in a child restraint system as described above or with a safety belt properly fastened around the child's body.  

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    47   1

House     94   4    (House amended)

Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

House     97   0    (House receded)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993