MS HB1237

Requires all passengers in a motor vehicle to wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system, expanding the requirement beyond front-seat passengers to include rear-seat passengers.

Maintains exemptions for farm vehicles, operators with physician verification of medical inability to wear seat belts, rural postal carriers and utility meter readers on duty, and buses.

Establishes a $25.00 fine for violations, with the operator of the vehicle responsible for any fines; maximum fine of $25.00 in aggregate for operator and all passenger violations combined.

Violations are classified as misdemeanors and do not appear on driving records or trigger state assessments under Section 99-19-73.

Takes effect July 1, 2017.