AN ACT requiring children under the age of 2 years to be restrained in a motor vehicle.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Rules of the Road; Child Passenger Restraints Required. Amend RSA 265:107-a, I-b to read as follows:
I-b. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any way while carrying as a passenger a person less than 7 years of age unless such passenger is properly fastened and secured by a child restraint system which is in accordance with the safety standards approved by the United States Department of Transportation in 49 C.F.R. section 571.213. If the passenger is 57 inches or more in height, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply. Each child restraint system shall be used in accordance with its manufacturer instructions, including manufacturer height and weight limits, proper attachment to the vehicle, correct securement of the child, and expiry dates.
I-c. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any way while carrying as a passenger a person less than 2 years of age unless such passenger is properly fastened and secured by a rear facing child restraint system which is in accordance with safety standards.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.
If you fail to have a child passenger "buckle up," you face a first offense fine of $50, and a second offense fine of $100.
Source:
New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General