Child Passenger Safety Law as of Aug. 1, 2024:

• All children under the age of 18 years old must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or seat belt. 
• All children under the age of 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.
  
• Children from birth to at least 2 years old must be rear-facing and in an infant or convertible child safety seat.
  
• Children who are at least 2 years old AND have outgrown the rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight should be in a forward-facing with an internal harness.
  
• Children 4 years old AND have outgrown the forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight must ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt.
  
• Children who are 9 years old or have outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test must ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.
  
• If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category (rear-facing being the most protective category).
• Car seats must be used according to the manufacturer's instructions, a child passenger restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.  
• Law applies to all motor vehicles originally equipped with factory-installed seat belts.
• Driver is responsible.
• Applies to both residents and non-residents of Minnesota.
• Suspected non-use is a valid basis to stop a motor vehicle.

• Children riding in emergency medical vehicles, when medical needs make use of a restraint unreasonable
• Children riding in a motor vehicle for hire, including a taxi, airport limousine or bus, but excluding a rented, leased or borrowed motor vehicle
• Children riding with a peace officer on official duty, when a restraint is not available (a seat belt must be substituted)
• Children certified by a licensed physician as having a medical, physical or mental disability that makes restraint use inadvisable
• Passengers in school buses with a GVWR of over 10,000 pounds.

 To have your seat checked for proper installation, please contact the IGH Police Department at (651) 450-2525 to make an appointment.