SB186 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: Tammy Irons Priscilla Dunn Hank Sanders Cam Ward Greg J. Reed Mark Slade Blackwell Bobby D. Singleton Jerry L. Fielding Vivian Davis Figures
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Motor vehicles, child passenger restraints, penalties for violations, portion of penalty distributed for vouchers for limited income families, distributed for administration to Health Department in lieu of Head Injury Foundaion, Sec. 32-5-222 am'd.
Summary: SB186 redirects fines from child passenger restraint violations to fund a voucher program for low-income families and places program administration with the Department of Public Health, with the Alabama Head Injury Foundation distributing the vouchers.
What This Bill Does
It creates a $25 fine for violating child safety restraint requirements. Of each fine, $15 is dedicated to funding vouchers for size-appropriate restraints for families with limited income, administered by the Department of Public Health and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation. The bill allows dismissal of charges if the restraint used is appropriate, retains a point system for habitual violators, and adds annual audits of the funds and reporting requirements; it also requires taxis and large passenger vehicles to be exempt and adds data reporting on minority traffic stops.

Who It Affects
Families with limited income who will receive vouchers to buy child passenger restraints
Drivers and other violators of the child safety restraint law (including habitual violators) who are subject to fines, penalties, and the point system

Key Provisions
Imposes a $25 fine per offense for violating child safety restraint requirements; charges may be dismissed if proof of appropriate restraint is provided
$15 of each fine is deposited to fund a voucher program for low-income families; administered by the Department of Public Health and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation; receipts/disbursements audited annually by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts
Adds a point system for habitual violators (1 point for first offense, 2 points for second/subsequent offenses)
Exempts taxis and motor vehicles with seating capacity of 11 or more from the restraint requirement
Requires police to collect statistics on traffic stops of minorities and report monthly to the Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Attorney General
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Alabama Head Injury Foundation