Good news! Update - Michigan Booster Law

[elle7715]

It went on to the Senate! The local paper had a short article on it:

Legislation aims to increase use of child safety seats in vehicles
LANSING (AP) -- More Michigan children would be required to travel in safety car seats under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House. Current Michigan law generally requires children under 4 to ride in a child restraint system, rather than just seat belts alone. The bills passed by the House would broaden the requirements. Children under 4-foot-9 and less than 80 lbs would have to be in a restraint system or booster seat until they turn 8. The main bill in the package passed by a 101-7 vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate. Another bill would require that child restraint systems for the younger children be in the back seat, if the vehicle has a back seat. And the bills would eliminate Michigan's current exemption for a child being nursed. According to a coalition called Safe Kids Michigan, the state has some of the most lenient child safety laws in the nation.

Yay! Let's hope this gets through the Senate and made into law soon! I know the age 8 limit isn't perfect but it's SO much better than what we have now.

[Jeanum]

I was just intending to post something similar. Let's hope it passes in the MI Senate, too. :D

[scatterbunny]

Woohoo! Hope it passes!

[jeno]

Fingers crossed here too:

Take a look at the article in our paper today. Too bad they couldn't put a more positive swing on it.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-37/118312480052380.xml&coll=6

[Avery'sMama]

Yeah! I had called and emailed my representative about this bill! His assistant emailed me back and told me he voted yes :) Now on to badger my state senator! I've had a couple discussions with angry parents thinking this is ridiculous, etc. It'll be interesting to hear the public reaction should this become law.

[elle7715]

I have to email my senator now too. I'll try to find the email I sent to the HRs.
I can't wait to hear what my ILs say about this. I'm imagining it'll be something alone the lines of "How dare they tell people what to do with their own kids!". I've already got my response planed out, because I'm a dork. "It's also illegal to not feed your kids, is that any of their business? Both things could kill kids. Honestly, what 4-8 year old is going to approach mom or dad and ask for a booster seat to keep them safe. There HAS to be a law."
I'm also glad they're trying to make it so kids can't ride in the front seat. I can't even tell you how many itty bitty kids I've seen buckled in the FRONT seats of cars while the backseat is empty. Sometimes they can't even see out the window!

[BookMama]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23507051/

This passed the Michigan Senate! :thumbsup: Could it be true? I assume it doesn't have to go through the house again?

I am so happy about this that I am totally tearing up. And I'm at work. :o (So pardon me if I've missed other threads on this ... will catch up as soon as I can this evening!)

[elle7715]

Awesome!!!! I honestly thought it died. It does go back to the House but I can't remember the rest of the process. :o The fact that it went through the Senate is really exciting, since the House already approved it, it *should* go through.

[BookMama]

Oops, you're right about it heading back to the house. (Missed that last paragraph that I had to scroll WAY down to see ... I was literally on my way out the door when I saw the article.)

The house has passed similar bills at least twice, so I would hope they pass it. My understanding is that it was someone in the senate who was holding it up. :thumbsdown: And I assume that Governor Granholm will sign it if it passes the house.

[Jeanum]

Encouraging news indeed. :thumbsup: This seems to be a separate state senate bill 82 in parallel to the one passed by the state house last year, house bill 4536, which seemingly vanishing into transportation committee oblivion in June 2007: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(a4fqer55jstpksb3uuonfrnf))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-HB-4536

Here's the status of the newly passed Senate bill 82:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(a4fqer55jstpksb3uuonfrnf))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2007-SB-0082
Note the current status showing the senate bill was referred to the transportation committee? Ack, I hope this isn't a sign of impending oblivion instead of progression toward a law. We're so overdue for a booster law here (preaching to the Michigan choir, sorry).

[BookMama]

Aw nuts, that dang transportation committee again! :thumbsdown: I forgot that's where the house bill got hung up ... I thought it was the senate where the previous bills got stuck.

They have GOT to pass this. There are only about three states that have worse car seat laws than Michigan. :eek: It's so embarrassing. (Not to mention unsafe, of course.) I have honestly never, ever mentioned the law to a parent.

Jean, do you know who we can contact about this? Anybody on the transportation committee? You always seem to know these things ... :)

[TerisBoys]

All I can say is...

IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Though my 8yo will be bummed - I'll make him stay in his seat til 4'9" and 80# regardless.

[Jeanum]

Jean, do you know who we can contact about this? Anybody on the transportation committee? You always seem to know these things ... :)

Oh man, I wish I knew who was who on the committee. There must be someone or someone(s) who throw a wrench in these bills judging by the lack of progress in the past. :( My former job mostly involved the feds and automakers, lol, and that was years ago. I don't have good gov't contacts any more, other than I've met Rep. Kathy Angerer who sponsored the house booster bill last year. I met her while she was campaigning in 2000 and 2004. Time to ping her with another e-mail and politely inquire about the status and how to encourage the Transportation Committee members. Some of them might be up for re-election, eh? :whistle:

[elle7715]

Is this where it's going next?
http://house.michigan.gov/committeeinfo.asp?lstcommittees=Transportation
Here is everyone on the House transportation committee. It says to contact them about bills they are addressing... :whistle:

[courtfrog2]

I wish I knew more about the whole process of Government. I missed that lesson in school! On a side note, I have lived here in MI my whole life and today was the first day that I ever went to the capital building in Lansing. We just missed the house in session... that would have been sweet if I could have been there when they were talking about carseats! It's a cool place though... wish I knew more about it. My daughters third grade class is SO smart. They were answering some tough questions today.

Where is everyone from in MI?

[BookMama]

It's got to be public information. Let's see ...

Yep, here's a list of the transportation committee members: http://house.michigan.gov/committeeinfo.asp?lstcommittees=Transportation

When I had my CPST class last summer, one of the women in the class had worked for the legislature. When we talked about the state laws in class, she indicated that there was one particular person who was against the child restraint bills, and that the bills would never go through as long as he had any say in the matter. :thumbsdown:

Wish I knew who it was. Maybe we could call "Ruth to the Rescue" on him! I wonder if a dose of public embarrassment would do the trick. :whistle:

[BookMama]

Where is everyone from in MI?

I'm from Ypsilanti, though I do most of my seat check events in Detroit.

[BookMama]

If I'm counting correctly, there have been four child restraint bills in the past year or so, three of which have been "reported out with recommendation that it pass."

I know I don't understand how government really works, but I do NOT understand what's going on here. The house and senate pass nearly identical bills several times, the transportation committee recommends that they pass, etc. Why (and where) on earth are they getting hung up? :mad::confused::mad:

[Jeanum]

I'm in Bookmama's area. I don't recognize a single name on the Transportation Committee list. Well I recognize Coleman Young II's name only because he must be a relative (son?) of his namesake, the former mayor of Detroit. My MIL used to work in the mayor's office during Coleman Young's tenure as mayor, but that's not exactly a connection now. :o I say zap those folks with e-mails, ladies and gentlemen, particularly if they are your state reps and up for re-election later this year. Let's remind them whom they represent and get some answers. :twocents:

[BookMama]

I say zap those folks with e-mails, ladies and gentlemen, particularly if they are your state reps and up for re-election later this year. Let's remind them whom they represent and get some answers. :twocents:

I agree. I see that although none of them are from our county (click on the names for counties represented), four of them are from Wayne county, where I do my seat checks, so I think I could write especially good letters to them and implore them to help protect the children of Detroit and the rest of Michigan.

[MamaLinzie]

I say zap those folks with e-mails, ladies and gentlemen, particularly if they are your state reps and up for re-election later this year. Let's remind them whom they represent and get some answers. :twocents:

Hi. Im in the Lansing area, and more than happy to help in writing reps. Does anyone have a basic letter that I could copy? I never know what to say. Thanks.

[Jeanum]

I'm currently hoping to hear back from my state rep about the status and to get a better understanding of the role of the transportation committee. I asked if both the house and senate versions need to be revised or hammered out into a final version for a final vote and governor's signature or ?? Then I plan to do more e-mailing and tailor the message accordingly. I don't have a specific form letter I use, or at least I haven't come up with one just yet. :) I'm more comfortable writing from the heart as a mom and child passenger safety advocate/technician and try tailor it to whomever I'm e-mailing as much as possible. I usually include a blurb about how Michigan needs to catch up other states and enact a booster law to help assure our younger passengers are better protected in the vehicle beyond age 4 and at an age and height where they do not safely fit the adult seatbelt. Mentioning the possible loss of federal highway funding if Michigan doesn't enact a booster law can be worth mentioning as well. :whistle:

[BookMama]

Jean, will you make sure to post an update when you hear back from your state rep? (I assume my state rep too? :confused:)

[Jeanum]

It's Rep. Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee, whom I'm waiting to hear from, and I'll be sure to update here. :) I figured I'd contact her again first to suss out the transportation committee and to try to learn more about what's going on there if possible. Is she your rep, too? I'm not positive about the district boundaries.

[BookMama]

It's Rep. Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee, whom I'm waiting to hear from, and I'll be sure to update here. :) I figured I'd contact her again first to suss out the transportation committee and to try to learn more about what's going on there if possible. Is she your rep, too? I'm not positive about the district boundaries.

Oops, you're district 55 and I'm district 54. (And um, yeah, I'm a little embarrassed that I had to look that up! :o)

[Jeanum]

The senate booster bill 82 appears to have made it through the transportation committee, check out the status at:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(vequb5rljquql1zjjel30045))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-SB-0082

Also check out this post on the Baby Center Car Safety Tips forum:

http://boards.babycenter.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=bcus9421&tid=26353

Very encouraging signs of progress! I hope the progress and good news continue. :thumbsup:

[monzogary]

This is so awesome! Please keep us updated if you can, I will be watching to see if it goes through quickly (finally!). This would make things so much easier for me to try and get some of the kids at my 7 yo's school out of front seats and into boosters.

[elle7715]

This is so awesome! Please keep us updated if you can, I will be watching to see if it goes through quickly (finally!). This would make things so much easier for me to try and get some of the kids at my 7 yo's school out of front seats and into boosters.

An evil in-law of mine has her almost 3 year old and her 5 year old in just seatbelts. I'm calling her mom the second this passes.

[Jeanum]

The encouraging signs continue as the senate bill 82 appears to have passed in the house during today's session, and the status was updated to indicate it was returned to the senate (not sure what for, a final vote or ?? I haven't heard from my rep. to explain what's up):

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(cpg1z155k2nubb55dhurrwmf))/mileg.aspx?page=BillStatus&objectname=2007-SB-0082

[BookMama]

The encouraging signs continue as the senate bill 82 appears to have passed in the house during today's session, and the status was updated to indicate it was returned to the senate (not sure what for, a final vote or ?? I haven't heard from my rep. to explain what's up):

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(cpg1z155k2nubb55dhurrwmf))/mileg.aspx?page=BillStatus&objectname=2007-SB-0082

"passed; given immediate effect Roll Call # 182 Yeas 99 Nays 9"

Good grief, why don't they just get on with it? :D

Thanks for sharing this, Jean. My fingers are SO crossed.

[Jeanum]

Another status change on the Michigan legislature website today for senate bill 82 (http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rde1iduysb4dne45e53hpi55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2007-SB-0082). More good signs of progress, I think/hope?


3/19/2008 Expected in SJ 29 HOUSE INSERTED FULL TITLE
3/19/2008 Expected in SJ 29 GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT
3/19/2008 Expected in SJ 29 FULL TITLE AGREED TO
3/19/2008 Expected in SJ 29 ORDERED ENROLLED

[BookMama]

According to the AP, Governor Granholm says she'll sign it! :thumbsup: :love: :thumbsup:

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/business-15/120594324436730.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

[Jeanum]

Finally, woohoo! :D I was worried it was going to be tabled and not acted upon by members of the state legislature before their two week spring break. I'm relieved and thrilled that it is finally ready for the governor's signature. :D:D:D:D:D

[elle7715]

We need some happy dance smilies!
:2thumbsup::D

[melniemi]

yay - do you know if you can be ticketed just for carseat violation? or is it one of those - if you get pulled over for something else, you can be ticketed if they notice the kiddos not properly restrained?

[BookMama]

yay - do you know if you can be ticketed just for carseat violation? or is it one of those - if you get pulled over for something else, you can be ticketed if they notice the kiddos not properly restrained?

I believe it will be a primary offense, which means you can get pulled over for violating child restraint laws, just like the seat belt law. I *think* that's true for the current child restraint law, too.

[melniemi]

I believe it will be a primary offense, which means you can get pulled over for violating child restraint laws, just like the seat belt law. I *think* that's true for the current child restraint law, too.

YAY!! I hope they actually enforce it! The police station is next door to my kids' school. I've only seen 1 other van with boosters in it. Everyone else hops into an empty back or front seat. I wouldn't be surprised if my kids are the only ones harnessed in the whole pre-k and up, since pre-k is 4 and up and the current law is up to 4.

[Avery'sMama]

I was told by a sheriff's dept. officer that our child seat laws are a primary offense. They can and do ticket for unrestrained/properly restrained children. Now, I heard that what was holding this up was debate over the nursing exemption. I don't think that changed? Anyone know? I am glad to see this finally pass! Effective July 1. I am antcipating a big demand for boosters at events this spring! That's alot of kids to booster in 3 months!

[BookMama]

I was told by a sheriff's dept. officer that our child seat laws are a primary offense. They can and do ticket for unrestrained/properly restrained children. Now, I heard that what was holding this up was debate over the nursing exemption. I don't think that changed? Anyone know? I am glad to see this finally pass! Effective July 1. I am antcipating a big demand for boosters at events this spring! That's alot of kids to booster in 3 months!

I am 99.99% certain that they've removed that ridiculous nursing exemption. :thumbsup:

It's late and I don't have time to search for the exact language of the bill, but perhaps someone else will be able to. It would be nice to see the exact language posted here, as I believe it also includes requirements for sitting in the back seat until a certain age. :thumbsup:

[MamaLinzie]

This is a great first step! But some how the word needs to get out how low-income families can get booster seats for their children for free or discounted prices. I know there are resources out there, its just a matter of getting that information out to the people who need it. There needs to be hand outs given to all families applying for state aid, but also information available at secretary of state offices. Laws are good, but resources are better.

[BookMama]

This is a great first step! But some how the word needs to get out how low-income families can get booster seats for their children for free or discounted prices. I know there are resources out there, its just a matter of getting that information out to the people who need it. There needs to be hand outs given to all families applying for state aid, but also information available at secretary of state offices. Laws are good, but resources are better.

I believe there is an advocacy/awareness component to this bill, but I'm not sure offhand what it is. There is also a group called "Boost Up Michigan" that I think will be involved.

[MamaLinzie]

I believe there is an advocacy/awareness component to this bill, but I'm not sure offhand what it is. There is also a group called "Boost Up Michigan" that I think will be involved.

That is very encouraging!

[NOAHSMOM]

Here is another update:

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/NEWS04/803220322/1005/ARCHIVES

[BookMama]

Someone just posted (on BabyCenter) an e-mail from the head of Safe Kids Michigan indicating that Governor Granholm will sign the bill at a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'm still not considering it final until that bill is actually signed, but WOOHOO!

I can't wait to find out more about advocacy efforts and how I can get involved.

ETA: Here's a pretty decent article from the Free Press - even mentions a mom whose 5YO is still in a harness: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS06/803260394/1008/NEWS06

[luvmy2]

Wow that is great news!

[NOAHSMOM]

ETA: Here's a pretty decent article from the Free Press - even mentions a mom whose 5YO is still in a harness: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080326/NEWS06/803260394/1008/NEWS06

Wow, they found a great mom to quote for once! I'm very glad that it is finally a law and a primary offence!

[Jeanum]

Happy dancing here today about the hopefully imminent signature from the governor. (well, dancing figuratively any way, sick kiddos have limited my dancing time). I wish the Freep article headline didn't misleadingly say "up to 7" because that can generate confusion. :thumbsdown: The article itself has it right, through age 7, aka up to age 8 as the booster law states. The headline leaves the wrong impression for anyone who doesn't read the full article. Otherwise it's a great article. :thumbsup:

[courtfrog2]

I think they are signing it today around 3:00... that's what our lead person said in a meeting today!

[Milkie&Cookie]

Wow, they found a great mom to quote for once! I'm very glad that it is finally a law and a primary offence!

It was me! LOL! :D

[MamaLinzie]

I just got off the phone with a man from safe kids (?) and he verified that Gov Granholm will be signing it tomorrow at 10am. I am going to be there for it, and I am so excited!

[BookMama]

It was me! LOL! :D

:thumbsup: Yay! Good for you! :thumbsup:

I thought it might have been a CPS advocate - you don't hear the general public cite the "race car" example very often, LOL.

[TerisBoys]

Yay!

Though I do wish it was an 8 AND 80 law. This means my ex's petite 7yo SD will be legal in Nov when she turns 8.

By petite - RYAN (5yo) is bigger than she is at 44" and 45# - she just outgrew the harness on a COSCO HBB by weight and is still under the top slots!

[Jeanum]

Blatantly swiping a AAA Michigan press release link, happily posted by BookMama on Baby Center and Coffee Break here earlier today, to announce the governor signed the Michigan booster bill into law this morning, hooray: http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/AAA+Michigan+Has+Booster+Seat+Information+at+Branc h+Locations/3492475.html

Per the press release, AAA is planning seat checks and informational handout kits to help inform parents/caregivers of the new law. :thumbsup:

[BookMama]

For those who want something to send to other parents, here is a great informational page from Safe Kids Michigan (boy, they got this up nice and fast :thumbsup:)

http://www.michigansafekids.org/newlaw.php#

[j4m4d8]

Wow! It finally happened. And I'm so happy they specified child restraint instead of booster; I wouldn't want to be ticketed by a well-meaning officer for having a five-year-old in a harnessed seat.

Does it bother anyone else that UMTRI reports in that AAA article that 5.1 percent of 4-8 year olds are using a child restraint when they should have been in a booster? Since they don't report any 4-8 year olds correctly using a child restraint, it makes me worry a bit about their research. Do they consider every 4 year old in a child restraint to be incorrectly restrained?

OK, sorry to get off track. I didn't see anything that addressed any of the other issues in Michigan's child restraint laws, but this is a biggie and I'll be happy to see most of my daughter's friends in boosters. My son's friends are mostly going to be 8 before July 1 if they aren't already, so I doubt there will be much change there.

But I still can't believe it!

Julie D.

[elle7715]

Does it bother anyone else that UMTRI reports in that AAA article that 5.1 percent of 4-8 year olds are using a child restraint when they should have been in a booster? Since they don't report any 4-8 year olds correctly using a child restraint, it makes me worry a bit about their research. Do they consider every 4 year old in a child restraint to be incorrectly restrained?

I wondered about that too. Or are they looking at the kids over 40 lbs in a carseat with a 40 lb limit?
Plus there are some 30 lb 4 year olds out there that really need to be in a harnessed seat. That magical 4th birthday shouldn't mean that they 'have' to move to a booster.

I'm SO, SO happy it passed though. I just hope it is enforced...

[monzogary]

I'm SO, SO happy it passed though. I just hope it is enforced...

:yeahthat:
I was thinking of printing out some handouts to give out at the girls' schools on Monday (on spring break right now). There are TONS of kids in Heather's elementary school who ride either with no booster, no seat belt, or in the front seat that it just makes me sick. Hopefully by next school year it will be better!

[elle7715]

:yeahthat:
I was thinking of printing out some handouts to give out at the girls' schools on Monday (on spring break right now). There are TONS of kids in Heather's elementary school who ride either with no booster, no seat belt, or in the front seat that it just makes me sick. Hopefully by next school year it will be better!

I was thinking the same thing, but for DD's SE preschool. There's this one little boy who rides to school propped up with pillows, using just a seatbelt. I asked the teachers to mention it but what else can you do? The morning class has 3-4 year olds and the afternoon class has 5-6 year olds. I was hoping to make up an info sheet and give the SafeKids website and this website. Can I do that?

Also, I just talked to the SafeKids Detroit chapter. They're doing a carseat check on May 3rd from 10-3 pm at the BRU near Great Lakes Crossing mall. I could put that on there too. I didn't see it on the SafeKids site but I remember the coordinator mentioning it so I called. They said they saw the bill signed this morning. :thumbsup:

[Avery'sMama]

Mary- LMK if you want something from Safe Kids Livingston County to go home! I will be working on something to send to the schools in the coming weeks.