HB32 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald BoltonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Motor vehicles; child passenger restraint systems, use further provided

Summary

HB32 would revise Alabama's child passenger restraint rules by updating the age/weight thresholds for rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats and by increasing penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It changes the required restraint types and the age/weight thresholds for using rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats, and it requires belt use for older children up to age 15. It establishes a tiered fine system for violations, with a possible first-offense dismissal if proof of an appropriate restraint is provided. It creates a voucher program funded by fines to help low-income families obtain appropriate restraints and adds a points system to flag habitual violators. It also sets enforcement and reporting requirements and includes exemptions for taxis and vehicles with 11 or more seats; the act would take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Parents, guardians, and caregivers of children in vehicles — must ensure children are properly restrained under the new age/weight rules and may face fines and points; may access a voucher program to obtain restraints.
• Law enforcement and state agencies (e.g., Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Health, Comptroller, Attorney General) — will enforce the new rules, collect fines and assign points, administer the restraint-voucher program, and collect/submit stop data.

Key Provisions

• Revises the age and weight thresholds for rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats as the required child restraint standards.
• Requires seat belt use for children up to 15 years old and outlines the specific restraint types that meet the new standards.
• Imposes a tiered fine structure: $25 for first offense, $50 for second within five years, $100 for third within five years, and $150 for fourth or subsequent offenses within five years.
• Allows first-offense dismissal with proof of acquisition of an appropriate child restraint; no court costs if such proof is provided.
• Creates a voucher program funded by $15 of each fine to provide free or reduced-cost child restraints to low-income families; administered by the Department of Public Health.
• Imposes a points system for habitual violators (1 point for a first offense, 2 points for second or subsequent offenses).
• Exempts taxis and vehicles with seating capacity of 11 or more passengers from the requirements.
• Requires state, county, and municipal police to collect and monthly report minority traffic-stop data to the Department of Public Safety and the Office of the Attorney General.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic