HELENA, Mont. — On October 1, House Bill 586 (HB 586) becomes effective, updating Montana’s Child Passenger Safety Law. HB 586 mandates the type of restraint a parent or caregiver must place a child in while in a motor vehicle.
Children under the age of 2 must be placed in a rear-facing harness seat; children ages 2 to 4 in a rear-facing or forward-facing internal harness seat; and children 4 to 8 in a forward-facing internal harness or booster seat.
"This new law reflects the best practices in child passenger safety. It was written with one goal in mind, and that is child protection,” said Rep. Marc Lee (Butte). “It was written to put our most vulnerable in the best pre-crash position possible, if a tragedy strikes."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), proper restraint reduces the risk for serious injury by approximately 71% in infants and 54% in toddlers.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) supports this new law by offering car seat checks with certified technicians across the state. All car seats and booster seats must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to consult manufacturer’s recommendations regarding height and weight limits.
“Children rely on adults to keep them safe,” Kevin Dusko, MDT State Highway Traffic Safety Section Supervisor, said. “These new guidelines ensure that children are in the right seat for their age and size.”
MDT is a workforce of over 2,000 people across Montana determined to do all we can so that you arrive at your destination safely. Our mission is to build, operate, and maintain a safe and resilient transportation system. For more information, visit mdt.mt.gov.
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