SB 72 Summary

• Amends AS 19.10.095 to authorize the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs encouraging use of safety belts and child safety devices at motor vehicle accident fatality sites resulting from failure to use such devices.

• Establishes specific child safety restraint requirements based on age, weight, and height for children under 16 transported in motor vehicles.

• Requires children less than one year old or weighing less than 20 pounds to use rear-facing child safety seats meeting federal Department of Transportation standards.

• Requires children ages 1-5 weighing 20+ pounds to use child restraint devices; children ages 4-8 under 57 inches tall and weighing 20-65 pounds to use booster seats; and children over 4 years exceeding height/weight limits to use seat belts.

• Allows drivers discretion in determining whether children ages 8-16 not exceeding specified height/weight requirements should use an approved child safety device or seat belt.