Child Safety Seat Laws
Beginning July 1, state law is changing how children must be restrained in car safety seats. The Germantown Police Department is advising parents, grandparents and other caregivers of the changes, especially those affecting older children, so they can prepare for compliance.

"The state has upgraded its law so that children ages 4 through 8 and who are less than 60 inches tall must be on boosters seats in the back seat of a vehicle," said Police Chief Richard Hall. "Previously, the state required a booster seat for youngsters who weighed less than 40 pounds."

Germantown Police and the city's Public Safety Education Commission have conducted child safety seat inspections several years, in conjunction with the Safe Kids Coalition. The check up program has focused on proper installation of the seats. The commission and police are now working to alert the public to the new laws aimed at better protecting all youngsters when they travel in a motor vehicle.
  • Any child under age 1 (even if he or she weighs more than 20 pounds) or any child weighing 20 pounds or less must be in a rear-facing child restraint, in the rear seat if available. Current law allows the child to face forward.
  • Any child ages 1 through 3 years who weighs 20 pounds or more has to be transported in a forward-facing child restraint seat, in the rear seat if available. Currently, the child seat can be placed in the front seat.
  • Any child 4 through 8 years who is less than 60 inches tall must be in a belt-positioning booster seat, in the rear seat if available.
  • Children ages 9 through 12 years or any child through 12 years of age who is 60 inches or taller must use a seat belt system and be placed in the rear seat if available.
  • Youth ages 13 through 15 years must use a passenger restraint system.
  • Provision is made for the transportation of children in medically prescribed modified child restraints.
  • The driver of the car is responsible for making sure that children under age 16 are properly restrained and may be charged and fined $50 for violation of the law. If the child's parent or legal guardian is present in the car but not driving, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure that the child is properly transported and may be fined for non-compliance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers information about child safety seats, seat recalls and installation at its website www.nhtsa.gov.