Arizona Senate Considers Stricter Child Passenger Restraint System Laws

The Arizona Senate is considering beefing up the state’s child restraint system laws, to have older children ride in booster seats.

According to SB 1050, existing law prohibits transporting children under five years of age in a motor vehicle unless they are properly secured in a child passenger restraint system.

A child passenger restraint system is considered to be infant booster seat or an add-on, built-in, factory installed built-in or rear-facing child restraint system, the bill text states.

If the bill passes, the law would expand the restraint laws to children at least five years of age, less than nine years of age and not more than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Those who violate the bill would be charged with a $50 penalty, although the fee would be waived if the driver shows that a child passenger restraint system has been purchased.

The Public Safety and Human Services Committee endorsed the bill, and it now moves to the full Senate.

To view the bill, visit http://www.azleg.gov/search/oop/qfullhit.asp?CiWebHitsFile=/legtext/49leg/1r/summary/s.1050pshs.doc.htm&CiRestriction=%22booster+seat%22.