A. Definition: For purposes of this section, "child restraint system" means a specially designed seating system, including a belt positioning seat or a booster seat, that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in 49 CFR section 571.213.
B. Securing Of Child Required:
1. A child under one year of age and weighing less than twenty (20) pounds who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit in a rear facing child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
2. A child under six (6) years of age who does not meet the description in subsection B1 of this section and who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit by a child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
3. A child at least six (6) years of age but under eighteen (18) years of age who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit by a child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or by a safety belt or safety harness of a type approved under Iowa Code section 321.445.
C. Exceptions: This section does not apply to the following:
1. Peace officers acting on official duty.
2. The transportation of children in 1965 model year or older vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, buses, or motor homes, except when a child is transported in a motor home's passenger seat situated directly to the driver's right.
3. The transportation of a child who has been certified by a physician licensed under Iowa Code chapter 148 as having a medical, physical, or mental condition that prevents or makes inadvisable securing the child in a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness.
4. A back seat occupant of a motor vehicle for whom no safety belt is available because all safety belts are being used by other occupants or cannot be used due to the use of a child restraint system in the seating position for which a belt is provided.
D. Violations; Penalties: A person who violates this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under Iowa Code section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph c. Violations shall be charged as follows:
1. An operator who transports a passenger under fourteen (14) years of age in violation of subsection B1, B2 or B3 of this section may be charged with a violation of this section.
2. If a passenger fourteen (14) years of age or older is unable to properly fasten a seat belt due to a temporary or permanent disability, an operator who transports such a person in violation of subsection B3 of this section may be charged with a violation of this section. Otherwise, a passenger fourteen (14) years of age or older who violates subsection B3 of this section shall be charged in lieu of the operator.
3. If a child under fourteen (14) years of age, or a child fourteen (14) years of age or older who is unable to fasten a seat belt due to a temporary or permanent disability, is being transported in a taxicab in a manner that is not in compliance with subsection B1, B2 or B3 of this section, the parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult traveling with the child shall be served with a citation for a violation of this section in lieu of the taxicab operator. Otherwise, if a passenger being transported in the taxicab is fourteen (14) years of age or older, the citation shall be served on the passenger in lieu of the taxicab operator.
E. Proof Of Purchase Of Child Restraint System: A person who is first charged for a violation of subsection B1 or B2 of this section and who has not purchased or otherwise acquired a child restraint system shall not be convicted if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, proof that the person has purchased or otherwise acquired a child restraint system which meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
F. Court Action: Failure to use a child restraint system, safety belts, or safety harnesses as required by this section does not constitute negligence nor is the failure admissible as evidence in a civil action. (2008 Code § 17-446; amd. 2015 Code)