SRC-S.B. 60 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 60
76R1616 DWS-EBy: Moncrief
State Affairs
2/19/1999
Committee Report (Substitute)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires children to wear a safety belt if they are
riding in the front seat of a passenger car. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration seatbelts are 40 percent to50 percent
effective in preventing fatalities and reducing injuries. Over half of
those killed in passenger cars in Texas in 1996 were not wearing seatbelts.
S.B. 60 would require certain persons to wear a safety belt when riding in
any part of a passenger car. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 60 requires persons to wear safety belts while operating
certain motor vehicles. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 545.413 (b) and (h), Transportation Code,  to
provide that a person commits an offense if the person allows a child who
is at least four years of age but younger than 15 years of age to ride in a
vehicle without requiring the child to be secured by  a safety belt,
provided the child is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt.
Redefines "passenger car." Defines "safety belt." Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 545.413(b), Transportation Code, to provide that a person
commits an offense if the person allows a child who is at least four years
of age but younger than 15 years of age to ride in vehicle without
requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt, provided the child is
occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt.