SF 122

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; requiring passenger restraint for children under
the age of eight in motor vehicles; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
169.685, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.685, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Violation; petty misdemeanor.

(a) Every motor vehicle operator, when
transporting a child under the age of deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin eight new text end on the streets and highways of this state
in a motor vehicle equipped with factory-installed seat belts, shall equip and install for
use in the motor vehicle, according to the manufacturer's instructions, a child passenger
restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.

(b) No motor vehicle operator who is operating a motor vehicle on the streets and
highways of this state may transport a child under the age of deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin eight new text end in a seat of a
motor vehicle equipped with a factory-installed seat belt, unless the child is properly
fastened in the child passenger restraint system. Any motor vehicle operator who violates
this subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and may be sentenced to pay a fine of
not more than $50. The fine may be waived or the amount reduced if the motor vehicle
operator produces evidence that within 14 days after the date of the violation a child
passenger restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards was purchased
or obtained for the exclusive use of the operator.

(c) The fines collected for violations of this subdivision must be deposited in the
state treasury and credited to a special account to be known as the Minnesota child
passenger restraint and education account.