SB186 Summary

• Amends Section 32-5-222 of the Alabama Code to redirect administration of a child passenger restraint voucher program from the Alabama Head Injury Foundation to the Department of Public Health.

• Requires drivers transporting children in motor vehicles to use appropriate child safety restraint systems meeting federal standards, with specific requirements based on child age and weight (rear-facing for infants under 1 year/20 pounds, forward-facing until age 5/40 pounds, booster seats until age 6, seat belts until age 15).

• Establishes a $25 fine for violations, with $15 of each fine deposited into the State Treasury and distributed to the Department of Public Health to fund child passenger restraint vouchers for low-income families.

• Removes provisions requiring the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to annually audit the receipts and disbursements of funds by the recipient organization.

• Became effective on the first day of the third month following passage and Governor approval (Senate passed February 6, 2014; House passed April 1, 2014).