MI HB4951

Removes age-based requirement for child restraint systems and replaces it with weight and height-based requirements: rear-facing seats for children weighing 30 pounds or less or under 2 years old, forward-facing seats for children 30-50 pounds or ages 2-5, and booster seats for children up to 57 inches tall or ages 5-8.

Extends safety belt requirements to children under 8 years of age (previously 4 years) and clarifies that children 8 years or older but under 16 must be secured in safety belts and properly seated, with exceptions for insufficient safety belts in vehicles.

Increases civil fine for child restraint violations to maximum $10.00 and adds provision allowing courts to waive fines if parent/guardian provides evidence of acquiring a proper child seating system and receiving education from a certified child passenger safety technician.

Changes safety belt enforcement language from "police harassment" to "inappropriate enforcement" and establishes investigation requirements for complaints; removes requirement for independent 3-year study on enforcement effects.

Effective 180 days after enactment into law.