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Bill

SB 55

MOTOR VEHICLES: Provides for clarification on the proper way to wear a safety belt. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Stine

Louisiana SB 55 clarifies that seat belts must be worn properly as designed—fastened across the lap and shoulder—while the vehicle is in motion.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 55

Summary of Louisiana Senate Bill 55 (2026)

Basic information

  • Bill: SB 55
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Topic: Motor vehicles; clarification on proper seat belt wear
  • Sponsor: Senator Jeremy Stine
  • Effective date: August 1, 2026
  • Status: Passed Senate with favorable report; referred to Legislative Bureau; action history shows passage in the Senate and referral to the House

Purpose and intent

SB 55 clarifies Louisiana’s existing seat belt requirement by specifying how a seat belt must be worn. The bill aims to reduce ambiguity by stating that the belt must be worn as designed—i.e., properly fastened across both the lap and the shoulder—rather than being placed behind the body or under the arm. The change is intended to reinforce correct use of seat belts, improving safety compliance.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends and reenacts Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:295.1(A)(1).
  • Requirement for drivers: Every driver of a passenger car, van, SUV, or truck with a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less must have a safety belt properly fastened about the body and worn across both the lap and shoulder as designed at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion.
  • Exclusions: The requirement does not apply to vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1981.
  • Note on language: The bill provides clarifying language to emphasize “wearing as designed,” which aligns with standard seat belt safety practices.

Who/what is affected

  • Drivers of eligible motor vehicles in Louisiana (passenger cars, vans, SUVs, and light- to medium-duty trucks) operating in forward motion.
  • Vehicles affected: Those with gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less, excluding classic vehicles manufactured before 1981.
  • Enforcement implications: By clarifying the proper way to wear a seat belt, law enforcement guidance and public safety messaging may be more precise, potentially influencing compliance checks and educational efforts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • Legislative process:
    • Introduced and read in the Senate, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
    • Reported favorably (15-0) by the Senate, then referred to the Legislative Bureau before consideration by the House.
  • Companion considerations: The digest indicates consistency across multiple printings (original and engrossed versions) with the same substantive change.

Practical impact

  • The bill is primarily clarifying rather than expanding existing penalties or broadening the scope of the seat belt law.
  • It reduces potential misinterpretation about how to wear a seat belt, reinforcing universal compliance with seat belt design for maximum restraint and safety.
  • No new exemptions or penalties are introduced beyond aligning the statutory language with standard wear practices.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language FAQ for the public or compare this bill to current Louisiana seat belt enforcement practices.

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

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