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S 1657

An Act to enhance child passenger safety

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Cronin

Mass. bill requires child restraints meet FMVSS 213 and follow manufacturer install instructions, with age-based rear- or forward-facing rules to protect young passengers.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 1657

Summary of S.1657: An Act to Enhance Child Passenger Safety (Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to strengthen child passenger safety by aligning Massachusetts law with federally recognized standards for child restraints and specifying age-based seating requirements.
  • It would amend the General Laws to require that child restraints meet the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 213 and be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Key provisions

  • Amended provision: Section 7AA of Chapter 90 (as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition) would insert a new paragraph establishing the following requirements:
    • The child passenger restraint must be approved according to FMVSS 213 and properly fastened per the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • For children younger than two years: must be restrained in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness, until the child reaches the restraint’s manufacturer-specified height or weight limit.
    • For children at least two years old: must be restrained in either a rear-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness or a forward-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness, until the child reaches the restraint’s manufacturer-specified height or weight limit.
  • The language emphasizes continued compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the federal standard, reinforcing safety requirements for installation and usage.

Who is affected

  • Parents, guardians, caregivers, and vehicle occupants responsible for child passengers in Massachusetts.
  • Manufacturers and retailers of child restraints may be impacted by the requirement that restraints be FMVSS 213-compliant.
  • Law enforcement and safety officials responsible for enforcing child passenger safety standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: May 7, 2025.
  • Initial actions: Referred to the Senate committee process; hearing scheduled (noted for April 9, 2025, in the version history).
  • Status: Reported favorably by a committee and referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The bill is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).
  • Sponsors: Primary sponsor Jim Banks; cosponsor Angus S. King.
  • Related: Companion bill HR 2137; related Senate bill SD 1040 (which this bill replaces). Similar matter previously filed as Senate No. 1524 in the 2023-2024 session.

Potential impact

  • Improved consistency with federal safety standards (FMVSS 213) for child restraints used in Massachusetts.
  • Clearer, age-based guidance on rear-facing vs. forward-facing seating, with directives tied to the manufacturer’s height/weight limits.
  • Potential costs for families to ensure restraints meet FMVSS 213 and are correctly installed, as well as possible increased demand for rear-facing restraints for younger children.
  • Enhanced enforcement potential for child passenger safety under state law, with alignment to manufacturer instructions.

Notes

  • The bill’s language is focused on the standard of approval (FMVSS 213) and correct installation, plus age-based restraint requirements. Specific effective dates or funding details are not provided in the available text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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