REGIONAL- For those who drive with children in their cars or trucks, a new law that took effect on Thursday, Aug. 1 changes the way kids must be restrained for their safety.
Previously, Minnesota law required the use of car seats according to the manufacturer’s instructions based on height and weight. The new legislation introduces updated guidelines emphasizing age and size-specific requirements for car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
Children under 2 years old must be properly restrained in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness until they reach the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer.
Once a child turns 2 years old and exceeds the rear-facing seat’s weight or height limit, they may change to a forward-facing child passenger restraint system with an internal harness, continuing to use it until they reach the system’s weight or height limit.
Children who are at least 4 years old and exceed the forward-facing seat’s weight or height limit must use a booster seat secured with a safety belt. A booster seat is required until the child is nine years old.
Children who are at least 9 years old or exceed the booster seat’s weight or height limit must use a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt. They must pass the five-step seat belt fit test:
 Shoulder belt should cross between the shoulder and neck.
Lower back should be against the vehicle seat.
Lap belt should sit on their thighs.
 Knees should bend at the edge of the seat.
 Feet should be flat on the floor.
Whenever possible, children under 13 years of age must sit in the back seat.

General Requirement:
Drivers must ensure all children under 18 years old are in an appropriate child safety seat or restrained by a seat belt.
This law pertains to all vehicles originally equipped with factory-installed seat belts.
People traveling by motor vehicle through Minnesota from other states must also follow these requirements.
Children riding in a vehicle for hire, including a taxi, airport limousine, or bus do not have to be restrained according to the guidelines, but the requirements do apply to rented, leased, or borrowed vehicles.
These changes align with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and aim to prevent children from moving to the next level of restraint prematurely. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that from 2019 to 2023, nearly 13,000 children aged birth to seven involved in crashes who were properly restrained had an 89 percent chance of remaining uninjured in the crash, while 10 percent suffered only minor injuries.