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MontanaHB 58669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise child safety restraint system laws

Sponsored By: Marc Lee (Democrat)

Became Law

TransportationMinorsTraffic Regulations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

When child seat rules do not apply

The law lists when child seat rules do not apply. Exempt vehicles include motorbuses, motor homes, school buses, taxicabs, farm tractors, bicycles, mopeds, quadricycles, motorcycles, motor‑driven cycles, and vehicles not required to have belts under federal rules as of January 3, 2025. Ambulances and other department‑designated emergency vehicles are exempt. A two‑seat vehicle is exempt when both occupants are age 4 or older. The rules do not apply during a life‑threatening emergency for the driver or the child. The department can grant exemptions when a child cannot fit in a restraint because of a medical condition or body size.

Updated car seat rules for kids

The law sets clear car seat rules by age and size. It also defines “properly restrained” and “secured with a safety belt.” Under 2: rear‑facing seat that meets federal safety rules. Ages 2–3: rear‑ or forward‑facing seat with an internal harness. Ages 4–7: forward‑facing harnessed seat or a booster using the car’s lap‑shoulder belt. At 9 or after outgrowing a booster: use an adult seat belt. Any child under 6 and under 60 pounds must be in a size‑appropriate child restraint, installed and used as the maker instructs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marc Lee

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 387 • No: 156

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 73 • No: 26

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 61 • No: 37

House vote • 4/3/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 30 • No: 20

House vote • 4/2/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 28 • No: 22

House vote • 3/20/2025

Rerefer to Transportation-Tempel

Yes: 32 • No: 18

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 84 • No: 14

House vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 79 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/23/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/3/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/2/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/24/2025Senate

  15. Rereferred to Committee

    3/20/2025Senate

  16. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    3/20/2025Senate

  17. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    3/19/2025Senate

  18. Hearing

    3/17/2025Senate

  19. Referred to Committee

    3/14/2025Senate

  20. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  21. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  22. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/7/2025House

  23. 2nd Reading Passed

    3/5/2025House

  24. Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

    3/1/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/25/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/1/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    PDF

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