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House approves booster-seat requirement for children ages 5–8 under 57 inches
Summary
The House passed HB 111 requiring children ages 5–8 and under 57 inches tall to ride in a booster seat; sponsors cited state data and a study showing a 70% reduction in injury risk for children using booster seats.
The Utah House approved House Bill 111 to require children between the ages of 5 and 8 and under 57 inches in height to ride in a child safety booster seat, sponsors said.
Representative Tim Cosgrove, the bill's sponsor, told members that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children older than 1 and cited Utah-reported data showing 32 children aged 5–8 died in motor-vehicle crashes between 1999 and February 2003 while not riding in booster seats. He also referenced a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/State Farm study that found a 70 percent lower risk of injury for 4–8-year-olds using a high-back booster compared with children using only seat belts.
Supporters described booster seats as inexpensive and widely used in other states; Representative Moss said booster seats are light, inexpensive and commonly carried by grandparents for visiting grandchildren. Opponents raised concerns about overreaching and the law's practical effects; Representative Alexander asked for clarification on how age, height and the existing liability provisions interact with the proposed standard.
After debate and questions from members about definitions and implementation, the House passed HB 111 on a roll-call vote: 40 yes, 27 no, 8 absent.
