Michigan Booster Law

[elle7715]

A few car seat bills were introduced to the House a couple weeks ago.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(cwvm4wjmzm2pj255jguohx55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-HB-4536

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(cwvm4wjmzm2pj255jguohx55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-HB-4537

One is a booster law for children under 80 lbs and the other is to create a fund for a car seat safety grant program.

If you could contact your Rep. (found here http://www.house.mi.gov/find_a_rep.asp) and ask them to support this bill that'd be great! It's one step toward getting our crappy car seat laws updated. :thumbsup:

[Jeanum]

Thanks, I have been watching for news on this bill. One of the bill's sponsors is from my district and has been on my porch during election season discussing this very issue, and I'm very glad to see she's pursuing it. I'll definitely be sending her another message of support. :thumbsup:

[elle7715]

I just saw that another bill (4555) is for a booster law for children under age 8. Thoughts? It's probably more likely to pass, but I like the 80 lb bill.

Would it be excessive to email the entire transportation committee?

[Jeanum]

I'll take almost anything that gets passed at this point since the current child restraint law here is so pitiful and don't think it's excessive to e-mail them all, go for it. :) I've seen techs on the boards emphasize the importance of a booster law specifying a min. height of 4 feet 9 inches to forgo a booster (of course this can vary from kid to kid and from vehicle to vehicle with regard to passing the 5-step test) as even more important than a 80 lb. minimum weight. Ideally a booster law would also include a height requirement.

[elle7715]

This is the exact wording in Bill 4536:
(a) A child less than 4 years of age shall be protected as required in section 710d.
(b) A child who is more than 4 years of age but less than 9 years of age and weighing at least 40 pounds but not more than 80 pounds and a child that is not more than 4 feet 9 inches in height shall be seated in a manufacturer certified booster seat and secured by a seat belt.

So it sounds like they're covered up to age 9 unless they hit 80 lbs or 4'9" tall first?

I'm going to email the whole committee, this will be the first time I've done something like this so I might as well go all out LOL.

[Stresch]

What does the section about children under 4 say?

I need to email my rep. I can't believe how pathetic the laws are here.

[Jeanum]

I can't find my link to the full text of MI's current child restraint law, but here's a chart that summarizes it: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/safety_belt_8581_7.pdf

[bensmom]

Thanks for posting this! Our laws are so inadequate here. I hope that the booster one passes! I'll have to send a letter.

[LiLBunz]

How long does it take a bill to pass?? Right now in Michigan, a 4 year old, no matter how big can be in a regular seat belt :(

Trisha
www.lilbunz.com

[Jeanum]

Ages, unfortunately. This is not the first time a booster bill has been proposed in Michigan, and I'm seriously hoping it won't languish in the transportation committee and fizzle out this time.

[j4m4d8]

I hate to be picky, but I don't like the wording. It sounds as if a child over 4 and more than 40 pounds has to be in a BOOSTER seat, not a harnessed child restraint. Manufacturer certified? What does that mean?

The current law for children under 4 references the federal register which gives requirements for all different types of child restraints. That is why it is currently legal in Michigan to put your 30 pound 1 year old in a booster. While I'm not particularly happy about the law as it stands for little ones, why not just reference the federal register again in the law for kids over 4? While I would likely continue to keep my 4 year old in a Regent anyway, it would become illegal according to this new law. Nothing like encouraging parents to put their kid in a booster the moment they turn 4.

The other thing is that the two laws leave a gap. 35 pound 4 year olds would not be required to be restrained in anything but a seat belt.

OK, I know, I know, currently people are currently putting toddlers in a booster anyway. And who would know that there was a gap, right? But I think laws should at least allow for best practice even if they don't require it.

Julie D.

[suzyq]

The Booster Seat Bill has passed the House!! I'm for anything that will keep children safe in a car!!

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2007/06/29/81303.htm

[Avery'sMama]

Anyone know what the status of these bills are at this point?

[Jeanum]

Judging by the status on this page (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ovnb0p550233gpvsrdwmwovk))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-HB-4536), there doesn't appear to be any forward motion on the booster bill since it was referred to the state senate transportation committee at the end of June.