Senate adopts substitute SB 46 to require children be restrained in pickup beds on freeways

Senate substitute SB 46, originally described as a bill addressing transportation of animals and children by Senator Scott Howell, was amended on the floor to remove references to animals and focus solely on securing children transported in the beds of pickup and flatbed trucks.

Senator Scott Howell (sponsor) explained the committee amendments and reported widespread support from medical and emergency professionals, including the University of Utah Medical Center, Primary Children’s Medical Center, St. Mark’s Hospital emergency department staff, the Western Rehabilitation Institute, the Emergency Nurses Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Howell said those practitioners had documented injuries from children falling from the backs of pickup trucks and supported a rule to require restraint or adequate covering when children are transported in such places, particularly on higher-speed roads.

On the floor, Senator Blackham and other members explained committee deletions that removed animal-transport provisions and clarified the bill’s geographic and speed application (discussion centered on the use of the terms “freeway” versus “highway” and whether the statute should reference interstate freeways specifically; sponsors said they would refine the technical language before third reading). Senators also discussed exemptions and exactly which vehicle configurations are covered (pickup, flatbed, stakebed). Supporters repeatedly framed the change as a safety measure intended to reduce preventable injuries.

The Senate called the question and, after roll call, the clerk announced that the substitute for SB 46 passed and the bill was placed on the third-reading calendar.

Next steps: sponsors signaled they may work on language clarifications before the bill reaches third reading to ensure consistent legal definitions for terms such as “freeway” and to confirm which vehicle types are covered.