_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT clarifying the applicability of the child safety restraint system requirements; and AMENDING SECTION 61-9-420, MCA.”

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 61-9-420, MCA, is amended to read:

"61-9-420. Child safety restraint systems -- standards -- exemptions. (1) If a child under 6 years of age and weighing less than 60 pounds is a passenger in a motor vehicle, that motor vehicle must be equipped with one child safety restraint for each child in the vehicle and each child must be properly restrained. Each motor vehicle passenger who is under 6 years of age and weighs less than 60 pounds must be transported and properly restrained in a child safety restraint. The child safety restraint must be appropriate for the height and weight of the child as indicated by manufacturer standards.

(2) The department shall by rule establish standards in compliance with 61-9-419 through 61-9-423 and applicable federal standards for approved types of child safety restraint systems.

(3) The department may by rule exempt from the requirements of subsection (1) a child who because of a physical or medical condition or body size cannot be placed in a child safety restraint."