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Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110

§32304B Child Safety

Title 49 › SUBTITLE VI — MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › PART C — INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › CHAPTER 323 — CONSUMER INFORMATION › § 32304B

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Car makers must put a system in all new passenger vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds to warn drivers to check the back seats after the driver turns off the engine. The Department of Transportation must issue a final rule within 2 years after the law is passed. The warning must include a clear sound and a visible signal and can also include a touch alert. It must turn on when the driver turns the vehicle off. Full compliance starts on September 1 of the first calendar year that begins 2 years after the final rule is issued. Passenger motor vehicle — meaning given in section 32101. Rear-designated seating position — seats behind the front seat. Secretary — the Secretary of Transportation.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §32304B

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions.—
In this section: (1) Passenger motor vehicle.—
(2)Rear-designated seating position.—
The term “rear-designated seating position” means designated seating positions that are rearward of the front seat.
(3)Secretary.—
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.
(b)Rulemaking.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a final rule requiring all new passenger motor vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to be equipped with a system to alert the operator to check rear-designated seating positions after the vehicle engine or motor is deactivated by the operator.
(c)Means.—
The alert required under subsection (b)—
(1)shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert; and
(2)shall be activated when the vehicle motor is deactivated by the operator.
(d)Phase-in.—
The rule issued pursuant to subsection (b) shall require full compliance with the rule beginning on September 1st of the first calendar year that begins 2 years after the date on which the final rule is issued.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved Nov. 15, 2021.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 32304B

Title 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110