Senate Bill 1312 Summary

• Increases the fine for safety restraint violations by operators under 18 years of age from $10 to $45, with $5 apportioned to the catastrophic health care cost fund, plus court costs.

• Establishes a one-year warning period from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, during which law enforcement must issue warnings instead of citations for violations by operators under 18.

• Beginning July 1, 2017, law enforcement may issue citations as a primary action for safety restraint violations by operators under 18; other violations remain secondary enforcement only.

• Applies to motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight not exceeding 8,000 pounds manufactured with federal safety standard no. 208 restraints; exempts motorcycles, emergency vehicles, implements of husbandry, medical exemptions, and mail carriers.

• Convictions do not result in violation points or count as moving traffic violations for insurance rate purposes; requires the department to conduct educational programs and evaluate effectiveness annually.