(a) When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in Section 301.38 of this Code, that is registered in this State and is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards:
(1) A child who is less than four years of age;
(2) A child who weighs less than forty pounds.
(b) When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, that is registered in this State and is owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of a nursery school, kindergarten, or day-care center, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards:
(1) A child who is less than four years of age;
(2) A child who weighs less than forty pounds.
(c) When any child who is less than eight (8) years of age and less than four feet nine (4'9") inches in height, who is not required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section to be secured in a child restraint system, is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in section 301.38 of this Code or a vehicle that is regulated under section 5104.011 of the Revised Code, that is required by the United States department of transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on a booster seat that meets federal vehicle safety standards.
(d) When any child who is at least eight (8) years of age but not older than fifteen (15) years of age, and who is not otherwise required by subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section to be secured in a child restraint system or booster seat, is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in section 301.38 of this Code, that is required by the United States department of transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly restrained either in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards or in an occupant restraining device as defined in section 4513.263(2) of the Revised Code.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of a motor vehicle being operated on any street or highway to stop the motor vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of this section or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of this Section, and absent another violation of law, a law enforcement officer's view of the interior or visual inspection of a motor vehicle being operated on any street or highway may not be used for the purpose of determining whether a violation of subsection (c) or (d) of this section has been or is being committed.
(f) The Director of Public Safety shall adopt such rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
(g) The failure of an operator of a motor vehicle to secure a child in a child restraint system, a booster seat, or an occupant restraining device as required by this section is not negligence imputable to the child, is not admissible as evidence in any civil action involving the rights of the child against any other person allegedly liable for injuries to the child, is not to be used as a basis for a criminal prosecution of the operator of the motor vehicle other than a prosecution for a violation of this section, and is not admissible as evidence in any criminal action involving the operator of the motor vehicle other than a prosecution for a violation of this section.
(h) This section does not apply when an emergency exists that threatens the life of any person operating or occupying a motor vehicle that is being used to transport a child who otherwise would be required to be restrained under this section. This section does not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4731 of the Revised Code or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4734 of the Revised Code that states that the child who otherwise would be required to be restrained under this section has a physical impairment that makes use of a child restraint system, booster seat, or an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical, provided that the person operating the vehicle has safely and appropriately restrained the child in accordance with any recommendation of the physician or chiropractor as noted on the affidavit.
(i) Whoever is a resident of this State and violates subsections (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this Section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor; except, if previously convicted of or pleaded to a violation of subsections (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this Section, or to Revised Code 4511.81(A), (B), (C) or (D), the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(j) If a person who is not a resident of this State is charged with a violation of subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this Section and does not prove to the court by a preponderance of the evidence, that his use or nonuse of the child restraint, booster seat or occupant restraining device was in accordance with the law of the state of which he is resident, the court shall impose the penalty provided by subsection (i) of this Section.
(Ord. 274-10. Passed 5-25-10.)