HB230 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

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

Summary

HB 230 would require front-seat occupants of passenger cars to wear seat belts when the vehicle is moving, with several specific exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 32-5B-4 to require front-seat occupants to have a safety belt fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion. It provides exemptions for certain groups (such as child passengers covered by existing restraint rules, medical exemptions with a doctor's note, rural postal carriers, newspaper/mail deliverers, older model-year vehicles, and vehicles that normally operate in reverse). An adult front-seat occupant who violates the rule would be the person charged with the violation. The bill also notes local-funding considerations under Amendment 621 but states the measure is exempt due to specified exceptions, and it would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Front-seat occupants of passenger cars: would be required to wear a seat belt when the vehicle is moving, with potential penalties for violations.
• Exemption groups: children covered by existing child restraint rules (32-5-222), individuals with medical exemptions (doctor’s note), rural letter carriers, newspaper/mail deliverers, passengers in vehicles from model year before 1965, and passengers in vehicles that normally operate in reverse.
• Local governments: the bill acknowledges potential local-fund implications but states it is exempt from local-funding vote requirements due to constitutional exceptions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5B-4 to require front-seat occupants of passenger cars to have a safety belt properly fastened when the vehicle is in motion.
• Adds exemptions: (a) child passengers under 32-5-222, (b) medical exemptions with a licensed physician’s written statement, (c) rural USPS letter carriers, (d) newspaper/mail deliverers, (e) vehicles model year before 1965, (f) vehicles normally operating in reverse.
• Adults in violation may be charged with the violation; the act is named the Roderic Deshaun Scott Seat Belt Safety Act and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.
• The bill addresses local-funding Rule Amendment 621 but states it is exempt due to defining a new or amended crime.

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