HB93 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Holmes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

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

Summary

HB93 would require every occupant of a passenger car to wear a safety belt while the vehicle is moving.

What This Bill Does

It expands current law from front-seat occupancy to all occupants wearing seat belts when the vehicle is in motion. It adds exemptions for medical reasons, certain workers, older model-year vehicles, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse. It creates the Roderic Deshaun Scott Seat Belt Safety Act and amends Section 32-5B-4 accordingly. It notes potential local-funding effects but states the bill is exempt from local-government approval requirements due to specified exceptions and because it defines a crime; it would take effect on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• All drivers and passengers in passenger cars would be required to wear a seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
• Exemptions include: (a) child passengers covered by Section 32-5-222; (b) individuals with a physician's written statement that they cannot wear a belt; (c) rural postal carriers while performing duties; (d) newspaper or mail deliverers; (e) vehicles model-year 1965 or earlier; (f) passengers in vehicles that normally operate in reverse.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5B-4 to require each occupant of a passenger car manufactured with safety belts to have a belt fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
• Exempts certain groups from the belt requirement: (1) child passengers under Section 32-5-222; (2) individuals with a physician's written statement of medical inability to wear a belt; (3) rural postal carriers; (4) newspaper/mail deliverers; (5) vehicles model-year before 1965; (6) vehicles that normally operate in reverse.
• Creates the Roderic Deshaun Scott Seat Belt Safety Act as the governing name for the measure and notes its potential local-fund implications.
• States that, although the bill could involve new local-fund expenditures, it is exempt from local-government approval requirements due to constitutional exceptions and because it defines a crime or amends a crime.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following passage and governor's approval.

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