New Car Seat Rules Signed Into Law In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania children 2 and younger must sit rear-facing in their car seats, under a new law signed Monday by Governor Tom Wolf.

Under the law, a child under 2 must be securely fastened in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system "which is to be used until the child outgrows the maximum weight and limits designated by the manufacturer," according to information from the governor's office.

The new law takes effect in 60 days.

The current law requires children be in a restraint system but does not indicate which direction the seat must be positioned.

Violators of the law face fines of up to $125 per offense, the Morning Call reports. However, during the first year there is a grace period during which enforcement will be through verbal warnings only.

By signing the bill into law, Pennsylvania is now the fourth state in the nation to require rear-facing car seats for its youngest residents. The other states that have passed similar laws are California, New Jersey and Oklahoma.

“We have no greater responsibility as public servants than protecting our most vulnerable, including especially young children,” Wolf said.

Wolf also signed two other pieces of legislation into law on Monday. Those bills include:

• Act 41 – Senate Bill 590, sponsored by Sen. Tomlinson, clarifies current law so that State-owned universities and employees of State-owned universities have the authority to enter into economic development agreements.
• Act 42 – Senate Bill 847, sponsored by Sen. Aument, requires that the State Veterans’ Commission also include a representative of the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc.

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