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Bill

S 1699

Prohibits certain functions whenever the legislature is in session

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rachel May

Makes wearing a seat belt a primary offense, allowing stops for noncompliance while prohibiting searches solely for belt violations.

REFERRED TO ETHICS AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE
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Bill Summary · S 1699

Summary — S.1699 (Massachusetts): "An Act establishing a primary seat belt law"

Status: Referred to Ethics and Internal Governance (filed 01/17/2025; introduced in Senate 05/08/2025)
Subject: Amends Chapter 90, Section 13A (seat belt law)

Main purpose

S.1699 converts Massachusetts’ seat belt requirement into a primary enforcement violation and establishes specific penalties and procedures for seat belt violations. The bill aims to increase seat belt use by allowing law enforcement to stop a vehicle solely for a seat belt violation while limiting downstream uses of such stops.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 13A of Chapter 90 to make failure to wear a safety belt by:
    • Any operator of a motor vehicle; or
    • Any passenger 16 years of age or older, a fineable offense.
  • Penalties:
    • $50 fine for an operator or any passenger 16+ not wearing a seat belt.
    • Additional $50 fine for the operator for each passenger who is at least 12 but under 16 years old and not wearing a safety belt.
  • Enforcement and limits on use of stops:
    • Seat belt violations are enforceable by law enforcement when an operator or passenger is not wearing a safety belt — i.e., enforcement as a primary offense (officer may stop a vehicle solely for that violation).
    • Explicit prohibition on using a seat belt violation as the sole basis to search or inspect a vehicle, its contents, the driver, or a passenger.
  • Insurance and revenue:
    • Safety belt violations will not result in surcharges on motor vehicle insurance premiums.
    • Fees from primary seat belt citations are to be deposited into the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund (Section 59 of Chapter 10).
  • Effective date:
    • Provisions take effect 180 days after the act’s effective date.

Who would be affected

  • Drivers and passengers in Massachusetts (greater likelihood of being stopped/enforced for not wearing seat belts).
  • Law enforcement agencies (can make stops for seat belt violations but are restricted from using such stops to justify searches).
  • Motor vehicle insurers (explicitly barred from applying surcharge based solely on these violations).
  • Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund (receives citation revenue).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Bill text filed 01/17/2025. Listed as introduced in the Senate on 05/08/2025.
  • Reported committee activity includes referral to Public Safety and Homeland Security and an April 9, 2025 hearing (dates in the provided record appear inconsistent with filing/introducing dates).
  • Currently shows referral to Ethics and Internal Governance.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely to increase seat belt use and potentially reduce injury severity in crashes.
  • Could increase the number of traffic stops made for non-compliance; the bill attempts to limit subsequent search authority.
  • Generates modest revenue directed to a dedicated head-injury treatment fund.
  • Enforcement and civil liberties implications (primary stop authority vs. limits on searches) may shape debate in committee.

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

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