HB240 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Holmes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Motor vehicles, seat belt use required for each occupant while vehicle is in motion, fine increased, distrib., Secs. 32-5B-4 am'd.

Summary

HB240 would require front-seat occupants of passenger cars to have their seat belts fastened when the vehicle is moving, with several exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 32-5B-4 to require front-seat occupants to wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is in motion. It adds exemptions for certain groups, including child passengers under 32-5-222, medical exemptions, rural letter carriers, newspaper or mail delivery workers, vehicles from model years before 1965, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse. It notes the measure would involve new local spending but is stated to be exempt from local-funding approval requirements under Amendment 621 because it changes a crime-related definition. It becomes law on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Front-seat occupants of passenger cars would be required to wear seat belts when the vehicle is moving.
• Local government entities could face costs related to enforcing or implementing the rule, but the bill provides an exception from Amendment 621 local-funding voting requirements due to a crime-definition change.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5B-4 to require front-seat occupants of passenger cars to have a properly fastened seat belt at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
• Adds exemptions: child passengers under Section 32-5-222, medical exemption by physician statement, rural letter carriers, newspaper/mail deliverers, model-year before 1965, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles