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An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Car Seats
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2081, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. AAA, §1, is further amended to read:
 
2. Children under 4 years of age.   When a child who weighs less than 40 poundshas not attained 4 years of age is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety seat belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child safety seat and, if the design of the motor vehicle makes it possible, in a rear-facing position. Violation of this subsection is a traffic infraction for which a fine of $50 for the first offense, $125 for the 2nd offense and $250 for the 3rd and subsequent offenses must be imposed. A fine imposed under this subsection may not be suspended by the court.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2081, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2007, c. 295, §2, is further amended to read:
 
3. Passengers under 18 years of age.   Except as provided in subsection 2, the following provisions apply to passengers less thanwho have not attained 18 years of age riding in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts. Violation of this subsection is a traffic infraction for which a fine of $50 for the first offense, $125 for the 2nd offense and $250 for the 3rd and subsequent offenses must be imposed. A fine imposed under this subsection may not be suspended by the court.
 
A. The operator shall ensure that a child who weighs at least 40 pounds butis 4 years of age or older and weighs less than 8060 pounds and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system that is a forward-facing child safety seat or booster seat and harness. Nonprofit, municipal or contracted transportation service providers are exempt from this paragraph until February 1, 2005, except that the operator shall ensure that the child is properly secured in a seat belt.
 
B. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 18 years of age and at least 8 years of age or older and under 18 years of age or who is less thanhas not attained 18 years of age and more than 4 feet, 9 inches in heightweighs 60 pounds or more is properly secured in a lap and shoulder seat belt.
 
C. The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 12has not attained 13 years of age and who weighs less than 100 pounds is properly secured in the rear seat of a vehicle, if possible.
Sec. 3. Education and outreach. Before January 1, 2021, the Department of Transportation shall conduct education and outreach regarding requirements for using child safety restraints as provided in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2081, subsections 2 and 3.
Sec. 4. Effective date. Those sections of this Act that amend the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2081, subsections 2 and 3 take effect July 1, 2021.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the laws governing the required use of child safety restraints in motor vehicles by changing the weight and age limits for the different types of restraints.