Child safety seat laws will be changing in Nebraska at the end of the year.
The Nebraska Unicameral approved LB-42, which requires any child eight and under to use a federally approved child safety seat while riding in any vehicle. The bill is now on Governor Pete Ricketts' desk for him to sign. Once the Governor give his approval, the new law will go into effect next January.
The new law also requires:
- All children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat.
- Children ride rear-facing until up to age two or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer.
- Children under age eight must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat equipped with a seat belt and is not already occupied by other children under eight years of age.
- Children ages eight to eighteen must ride secured in a safety belt or child safety seat (booster seat).
- Childcare providers must transport all children securely in an appropriate federally-approved child safety seat or safety belt.
- Children up to age eighteen are prohibited from riding in cargo areas.
Anyone caught not obeying law could receive a $25 fine plus court costs and a judge can also assess one point against the driver's driving record.