IA HF2344

Children under 2 years old (or until exceeding manufacturer height/weight limits) must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system, extending current law which only requires this for children under 1 year weighing less than 20 pounds.

Children under 8 years old who don't meet the rear-facing requirement must use a child restraint system per manufacturer instructions, raised from the current age threshold of 6 years.

Children ages 8 to 17 must be secured by either a child restraint system or an approved safety belt/harness, changed from the current starting age of 6.

Removes the exemption allowing unrestrained back-seat travel when all safety belts are occupied by other passengers or unavailable due to child restraint system placement.

Violations carry a $135 fine but cannot be used to determine license suspension or habitual offender status.