All Roll Calls
Yes: 203 • No: 43
CaliforniaAB 4352025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Vehicles: child passenger restraints.
Sponsored By: Lori Wilson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.
Bus companies must maintain belts and post notices
If a bus has seatbelts, the carrier must keep them in good working order. Before departure, the driver must tell riders about the seatbelt rule and fines, or the carrier must post clear signs in several places.
New 5-Step seatbelt fit test in 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, the law uses one five‑step test to decide if a person is properly restrained by a seatbelt. The five steps: sit all the way back; knees bend over the seat edge; shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder; lap belt low touching the thighs; and you can stay that way for the whole trip. On January 1, 2027, earlier seatbelt and child restraint sections are repealed and replaced by the new rules.
Keep your car's seatbelts working
Vehicle owners must keep seatbelts in good working order for occupants. Belts must meet U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. You do not have to install or keep belts if federal law did not require them when the car was first sold.
Seatbelts and child rules on buses
On buses with seatbelts, passengers 16 or older must wear a seatbelt. A parent, guardian, or chartering party may not transport a child eight to under 16 unless the child is properly belted. Children under eight and under 4 feet 9 inches must be acceptably belted or secured in a child seat that meets federal standards. Until January 1, 2027, if under two and too small for the belt, a child may be held. Fines are up to $20 for a first offense and up to $50 after.
Car makers must meet restraint rules
Cars for original sale in California made on or after September 1, 1989 must meet the federal automatic restraint rule. A manufacturer who sells or delivers a noncomplying car can be fined up to $500 for each sale or delivery.
Child car seat exceptions and front seats
A court can exempt groups of children from child seat rules if use is impractical and proof is shown. In life‑threatening emergencies, or when no child seat is available, a child may ride secured by a seatbelt, including in emergency vehicles. A child over 40 pounds may use a backseat lap belt when no lap‑and‑shoulder belt is there. A child under eight who is 4 feet 9 inches or taller may use a seatbelt instead of a child seat. A child under eight may ride in the front seat only in limited cases: no rear seat, side‑ or rear‑facing rear seats, the seat cannot be installed in back, all rear seats are taken by children seven or under, or for medical reasons. Never put a rear‑facing child seat in a front seat with an active passenger airbag.
Seatbelts in taxis, limos, emergency vehicles
Limo‑for‑hire and authorized emergency vehicle operators must ensure the driver and front‑seat riders age 8 or older wear seatbelts. Taxi operators must ensure front‑seat riders age 8 or older wear seatbelts. Limited taxi operator exemptions in other laws still apply.
Seatbelts required for ages 16 and up
If you are 16 or older, you must wear a seatbelt in a moving car on a highway. Fines are up to $20 for a first offense and up to $50 after. For a first offense, a court may send you to traffic school instead of a fine. With a doctor’s or chiropractor’s certification, a medical condition can excuse seatbelt use. Public employees in authorized emergency vehicles, and passengers behind their front seat, are exempt unless the agency requires belts.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lori Wilson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/8/2025
Item 2 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 49 • No: 13
Senate vote • 9/2/2025
Item 292 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/8/2025
Vote in CS59
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 6/4/2025
Item 4 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 42 • No: 16
House vote • 5/23/2025
Item 22 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 35 • No: 12
legislature vote • 5/7/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 11 • No: 2
legislature vote • 3/24/2025
Vote in CX22
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 434, Statutes of 2025.
10/7/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/7/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
9/15/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 49. Noes 13. Page 3012.).
9/8/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/2/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2393.).
9/2/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/20/2025SenateFrom committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
8/19/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/9/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
6/25/2025SenateReferred to Com. on TRANS.
6/18/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/5/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 42. Noes 16. Page 2067.)
6/4/2025HouseReconsideration granted. (Page 2067.)
6/4/2025HouseMotion to reconsider made by Assembly Member Wilson.
5/23/2025HouseRead third time. Refused passage. (Ayes 35. Noes 12. Page 1657.).
5/23/2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading.
5/19/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/8/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 7).
5/7/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/25/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on TRANS.
3/18/2025HouseFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on TRANS. Read second time and amended.
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Com. on TRANS.
2/18/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee March 9.
2/7/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
2/6/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/7/2025
Enrolled
9/10/2025
Amended Senate
6/25/2025
Amended Assembly
5/19/2025
Amended Assembly
3/17/2025
Introduced
2/6/2025