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Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73not60

§32304B Child Safety

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Transportation must write a final rule within 2 years after enactment that requires every new passenger vehicle under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to have a system that warns the driver to check seats behind the front seats after the engine or motor is turned off. The warning must give a clear sound and light, may also use a vibration, and must activate when the operator shuts off the motor. Full compliance must begin on September 1 of the first calendar year that starts 2 years after the final rule is issued. Defined terms: passenger motor vehicle — the kind of vehicle described in section 32101; rear-designated seating position — seating locations behind the front seat; Secretary — Secretary of Transportation.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §32304B

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:
(1)The term “passenger motor vehicle” has the meaning given that term in section 32101.
(2)The term “rear-designated seating position” means designated seating positions that are rearward of the front seat.
(3)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.
(b)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)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)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

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60