CT HB05161

Removes the requirement that front seat passengers wear seat belts, while maintaining the requirement for vehicle operators to wear seat belts on highways.

Clarifies that children under 8 years old must be restrained according to child safety seat requirements, and passengers 8-15 years old must be secured in seat belts by the operator.

Eliminates the provision requiring operators under 18 years of age to wear seat belts and requiring all passengers in vehicles operated by minors to wear seat belts.

Excludes buses with a tonnage rating of one ton or more and vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1968 from seat belt requirements.

Prohibits law enforcement from using seat belt violations as probable cause to search a vehicle or its contents, effective October 1, 2018.