DE HB256

Requires children under 2 years of age to be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system that meets federal safety standards, unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall or exceeds manufacturer height/weight limits.

Maintains existing requirements for children through age 7 and up to 65 pounds to use an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, and children ages 8-15 to wear properly secured seatbelts.

Prohibits children 65 inches or less in height and under 12 years of age from occupying the front passenger seat of vehicles with active passenger-side airbags, with limited exceptions when no rear seats are available.

Establishes violation penalties of $25 per incident, with multiple violations for different children in the same vehicle not counted as separate offenses; violations are inadmissible as evidence in civil or criminal proceedings related to motor vehicle accidents.

Takes effect 1 year after enactment to provide residents time to become aware of and comply with the rear-facing car seat requirement.