New Massachusetts Booster Seat Law Goes Into Effect Tomorrow, July 10

In April , Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed Senate Bill 2018, dubbed the Booster Seat Bill. The new law goes into effect tomorrow, July 10.
This enhancement of the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law requires that all children riding in passenger motor vehicles must be in a federally approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57” tall. This will significantly increase the number of children who will be required to ride in a booster seat.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division with its partners is working to implement the new child passenger safety law and ensure all children are safer when riding in motor vehicles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among children ages 3 to 14.
A major component of the implementation of the new law will be child safety seat checkpoints offered around the Commonwealth. Checkpoints are important because most parents do not properly restrain their children in vehicles. At checkpoints nationally certified technicians inspect child safety seats and educate parents and guardians about how to correctly use their children’s seats.
If you need more information on how to obtain or properly install child passenger restraints, or would like to attend a checkpoint, call the state's Child Passenger Safety Hotline at 1-877-392-5956, TTY 1-617-725-0261, or go to www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats.