Laws and Regulations
Related to Child Passenger Safety
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
FMVSS 208: Occupant Crash Protection as of 10/1/08 (PDF).
Lockability. NHTSA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to remove the sunset clause that would rescind the lockability requirement for safety belts in 2012. A petition requesting this action was submitted by SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. and Safe Ride News and supported by 177 CPS advocates, many of whom were attendees of Kidz in Motion Conference 2006.
To comment online at regulations.gov, enter the Docket Number NHTSA-2008-0149 in the search window, check the “Select” box below the window, and click on “Go.” When the next window appears, click on “Send a comment or submission.” Enter your contact information, Government Agency Type (Federal), Government Agency (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). In the General Comments box, describe why you believe lockable belts are needed. For example: (1) to secure safety seats for children above 48 lbs., especially children who are large for their age or have special needs (2 for children in boosters who are not able to stay properly seated and/or keep the shoulder belt properly positioned; (3) to enable caregivers to lock unused belts, which some children have wrapped around their necks, coming close to strangulation.
FMVSS 213: Child Restraint Systems as of 10/1/08) (PDF).
LATCH Educational Messages, comments from SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. to Docket no. NHTSA-2007-28934, submitted 25 August 2007.
FMVSS 225: Child Restraint Anchorage Systems as of 10/1/08 (PDF).
Summaries by SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.
Highlights of the Regulation for Child Restraint Systems: Summary of FMVSS 213
LATCH Requirements: Summary of Changes to FMVSS 213 & 225.
Safety Rating Program for Child Restraint Systems, 5 Nov 2002 (PDF).
Federal Legislation
Anton's Law, to improve protection of children ages 4 to 8, Public Law 107-318, 4 December 2002 (PDF).
Testimony concerning a national plan to protect children ages 4 to 8, presented to NHTSA on July 3, 2001, by Stephanie Tombrello (PDF).
Aircraft Travel - FAA Policies and Regulations
The following documents may be printed and taken along when traveling with a child and child restraint on a commercial airline.
Childproof Your Flight (PDF) or find it on the FAA site.
Use of Child Restraint Systems on Aircraft, FAA Advisory Circular 120-87A, 12/01/06 (PDF).
FAA regulations:
Seats, safety belts, and shoulder harnesses, 14 CFR 121.311, as of 1/1/03 (PDF).
Use of safety belts
and child restraint systems, 14 CFR 135.128, as of 1/1/03 (PDF).
AAP Policy Statement
Restraint Use on Aircraft (Pediatrics
108(5):1218,Nov 2001) Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families
Head Start
transportation regulation deadline extension, 1/16/04 (PDF).
Transport Canada
Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations
California Legislative Information
California Child Occupant Protection Laws
Law Enforcement Briefings:
Outline and Materials
For Child Passenger Safety Technicians, health educators, and law enforcement
training staff Other State
Legislation Advocates for Highway and Auto
Safety State Legislative Program: Summary of
laws by state.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Summary of state laws on child restraints, safety belts, and helmets.
Guidelines for Developing a Comprehensive Child Passenger Safety Law (PDF)
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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.
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