Is Your Child Ready to Ditch the Booster Seat? Learn About California's New Law!

A new law in California is set to prolong the use of booster seats for shorter children, imposing fines for improper seat belt usage. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a revised version of Assembly Bill 435, initially proposing to prevent smaller teenagers from occupying front seats and mandating booster seat use until middle school. The revised law shifts focus to the standards police will apply to assess whether a child is tall enough for a traditional seat belt. While booster seat usage remains mandatory until age eight or a height of 4 feet 9 inches, starting in 2027, children aged 8 to 16 must pass a five-step evaluation for proper restraint. Failure results in fines up to $490. Advocates argue these regulations align with recommendations by public health officials and aim to reduce injury risks for smaller children in car accidents. The law reflects a commitment to child safety amid growing concerns about appropriate restraint while traveling.