Effective January 1, 2005, the California Child Passenger Safety Law (VC 27360 and 27360.5) changed to require that a child who is under 6 years old or under 60 pounds must be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint system in the rear seat of a motor vehicle.

Exceptions:

• The vehicle has no rear seats.
• The rear seats are side-facing jump seats.
• The rear seats are rear-facing seats.
• The child passenger restraint system cannot be installed properly in the rear seat.
• Children under the age of 12 years already occupy the rear seats.
• Medical reason (written by the pediatrician) requires that the child not ride in the rear seat.

A child may NOT ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle with an active passenger air bag if:

• Under one year of age.
• Weighs less than 20 pounds.
• Riding in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system.

Children who weigh at least 60 pounds or who are at least 6 years old, but less than 16 years old, must be properly secured in an appropriate child
passenger restraint system or safety belt. (VC 27315 requires everyone 16 years or older who is a driver or passenger be properly restrained by safety belts).

You may be fined for violating the California Child Passenger Safety Law.

1st Offense: $100 fine. Court may reduce or waive the fine but must refer you to a violator program if fine is reduced.

2nd Offense: $250 fine. Same conditions as first offense and your auto insurance rates may increase.

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