Section 27360 of the Vehicle Code is amended to specify the conditions for transporting a child using an appropriate child passenger restraint system in a motor vehicle. Provisions are also specified for the placement of a child either in the front seat or rear seat of a motor vehicle.The amendments apply to parents, legal guardians and any driver transporting a child in a motor vehicle, including child care providers, unless that parent or legal guardian is also present in the car.
Under current law children are required to be transported in a motor vehicle in a child passenger restraint system unless the child is:
- Six years of age or older.
- Weighs 60 pounds or more.
When this law becomes effective January 1, 2005 a child under the age of six years who weighs less than 60 pounds must ride in the rear seat of a motor vehicle except under the following circumstances:- There is no rear seat.
- The rear seats are side-facing jump seats.
- The rear seats are rear facing seats.
- A child passenger restraint system cannot be properly installed in the rear seat.
- Children under the age of 12 years old already occupy all rear seats.
- Medical reasons (that are not specified in the law) necessitate that the child not ride in the rear seat. The court may require satisfactory proof of the child’s medical condition.
A child or ward may not ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle with an active passenger air bag IF the child or ward is one of the following:- Under one year of age.
- Weighs less than 20 pounds.