CHILD RESTRAINT, SAFETY BELTS - S.B. 333 (S-1) & 334 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 333 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Senate Bill 334 (Substitute S-2 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Senator George Z. Hart (S.B. 333)
Senator Bill Bullard, Jr. (S.B. 334)
Committee: Transportation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bills would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Require all children under four years of age to be secured in an approved child restraint system (car seat) in the rear seat of a vehicle.
-- Delete the current exception to the car seat requirements for a child being nursed.
-- Limit to passengers at least 16 years old the provision that allows more passengers than available seat belts.
Currently, except as otherwise provided, a driver transporting a child less than four years old must secure that child properly in a car seat that meets Federal standards. Under Senate Bill 333 (S-1), the child would have to be in the rear seat of the vehicle, if it had one.
Currently, if there are more passengers than seat belts available, and all seat belts are in use, a driver is in compliance with the Code's seat belt requirements. Under Senate Bill 334 (S-2), this would apply if there were more passengers 16 years of age or older than available seat belts. The bill would delete a similar provision under which a driver is in compliance with the requirement that a child at least four but under 16 be secured in a seat belt, if there are more children than available seat belts, all seat belts are in use, and the child is not in the front seat (unless the vehicle is a pickup without extended seating).
The bills would take effect on July 1, 2001.
MCL 257.710d (S.B. 333) - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
257.710e (S.B. 334)
FISCAL IMPACT
State: The changes proposed in these bills would eliminate some of the exemptions to violations of Sections 710d and 710e of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Since no points may be awarded for violations of these sections, there would be no fiscal impact on the State.
Local: With fewer exemptions to the provisions of sections 710d and 710e, the revenue from civil fines could increase as more tickets were awarded. The number of violations of these sections is unknown so the fiscal impact is indeterminate. The revenue from civil infraction fines benefits local libraries.
Date Completed: 5-15-01 - Fiscal Analyst: J. RunnelsFloor\sb333 - Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.state.mi.us/sfa
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.