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SD 1040

An Act to enhance child passenger safety

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

The bill strengthens MA child passenger safety by aligning restraints with FMVSS 213 and requiring age-based, harnessed restraints for under 2 and older children.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1040

Summary: An Act to Enhance Child Passenger Safety (SD 1040)

  • Bill number and title: Senate Docket No. 1040, “An Act to enhance child passenger safety”
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: House concurred
  • Classification: Proposed bill
  • Primary sponsor: John J. Cronin
  • Legal basis targeted: Amends Section 7AA of Chapter 90 of the General Laws (Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to strengthen Massachusetts requirements for child passenger restraints by codifying and clarifying age-based restraint standards and tying them to federal safety standards (FMVSS 213). The aim is to improve child occupant protection by ensuring restraints are appropriately approved and used per manufacturer instructions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Federal standard alignment: The bill requires that the child passenger restraint be approved under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Age-based requirements:
    • Under 2 years old: Must be restrained in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness, continuing until the child reaches the device’s manufacturer height or weight limit.
    • Ages 2 and up: 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, continuing until the child reaches the height or weight limit of the restraint system.
  • Scope of change: The language is an amendment to Section 7AA of Chapter 90 and would become part of Massachusetts’ mandatory child passenger safety requirements.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected individuals: Parents, guardians, and other caretakers responsible for children’s vehicle safety.
  • Affected entities: Manufacturers and suppliers of child restraint systems; law enforcement and public safety officials for enforcement and education; healthcare and child safety organizations that advise families.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • ** Legislative actions:**
    • Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27, 2025
    • House concurred on the same date (indicating alignment between Senate and House versions or agreement on the bill’s language at that stage)
  • Effective date: The text available does not specify an effective date; if enacted, the effective date would typically be determined by the final act or subsequent implementing regulations.

Observations

  • The bill references a prior similar measure filed in the previous session (Senate No. 1524 of 2023-2024), indicating continued legislative interest in strengthening child passenger safety standards.
  • The emphasis on FMVSS 213 alignment and strict age-based harnessing reinforces data-driven safety practices for young passengers.

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

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