Bill
S 2422
Massachusetts bill requires children under 13 to ride in the rear seat whenever available, with exceptions when no rear seat or when it is filled by other under-13 passengers.
Status snapshot
- Bill filed: January 16, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1501).
- Primary sponsor: Senator Mark C. Montigny (Second Bristol and Plymouth).
- Legislative progress (selected): Passed Senate 3/10/2025; delivered to the House/Assembly and referred to Judiciary; substituted for companion A3849; ordered to third reading (Rules Cal. 858). As provided, the bill remains under active legislative consideration.
- Note: some provided metadata (titles, sponsors, committee referrals) appears inconsistent; the text below reflects the bill language and the Massachusetts legislative actions supplied.
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to strengthen child passenger safety in Massachusetts by restricting when children under age 13 may be seated in the front passenger seat of motor vehicles. Its stated aim is to reduce children's exposure to front‑seat crash risks (e.g., airbag deployment, crash forces) by encouraging rear‑seat placement when available.
Key provision (statutory change)
- Amends Section 7AA of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws by inserting a new paragraph with the following rule:
- “A passenger in a motor vehicle on any way who is under the age of 13 shall not be seated in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle on any way unless: (i) the motor vehicle does not have a rear passenger seat; or (ii) the rear passenger seat of the motor vehicle is occupied by other passengers under the age of 13.”
- In plain terms: children under 13 must ride in a rear passenger seat when the vehicle has one, except when the vehicle lacks a rear seat or the rear seat is already occupied by other under‑13 passengers.
Who is affected
- Primary: parents, guardians, drivers and others who transport children under 13 in motor vehicles anywhere in Massachusetts.
- Secondary: law enforcement (for on‑road enforcement), vehicle owners/operators (including ride‑share drivers), and organizations that provide child transportation guidance (schools, child care centers).
- The bill does not, in the inserted text, specify penalties, fines, or enforcement mechanisms — enforcement would likely depend on how this amendment is implemented within existing traffic enforcement frameworks or subsequent implementing provisions.
Procedural/timing notes and related measures
- Companion/related measures listed include: House companion A3849. Several prior-session and related senate bills are noted in the file history.
- The bill text does not specify an effective date.
- Because the inserted paragraph does not state penalties or amendments to enforcement provisions, practical enforcement, penalties, or interactions with existing child‑restraint/seatbelt statutes may require additional statutory language or administrative guidance.
Implications
- If enacted, the law would create a clear age‑based presumption favoring rear‑seat placement for children under 13, tightening seating location rules beyond child‑restraint requirements. The net effect would be to legally require rear seating when available, with limited, explicit exceptions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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