A crucial bill aimed at updating vehicle safety regulations for children in Alabama has failed to pass on the House floor. The bill, which sought to improve safety measures for young children in cars, was defeated on February 27, 2025. This bill would have been the first major update to Alabama’s car seat laws in nearly 20 years.
What the Bill Proposed
The bill, known as HB 18, was introduced by Rep. Ron Bolton, a Republican from Northport. It proposed a significant change to the state’s current regulations, aiming to make car rides safer for children. The new guidelines would require 2-year-olds who weigh 35 pounds or less to use rear-facing car seats. This was a major shift from the current law, which allows children to be in rear-facing seats only until they weigh 20 pounds.
Bolton’s bill also recommended raising the weight limit for children to use convertible car seats. The new proposal would require children under five years old who weigh up to 65 pounds to use these types of car seats. This is an increase from the current limit of 40 pounds.
Opposition from Lawmakers
Despite the bill’s well-meaning goal, it faced significant pushback from members of the House, even from some who are usually in favor of child safety regulations. Rep. Terri Collins, a Republican from Decatur, expressed concern that 2-year-olds might not be able to fit comfortably in rear-facing car seats. “Their legs may not fit in the car seat,” Collins said. She also noted that children at this age enjoy looking around and exploring the world during car rides, something they wouldn’t be able to do if they were forced to face the back of the seat. Collins believed that the proposed changes could affect children’s learning and development in a negative way.
Similarly, Rep. Adline Clarke, a Democrat from Mobile, shared a message from one of her constituents who echoed these concerns. The message read: “‘One- and 2-year-olds do not want to be staring at a seat. They look out the windows when riding forward and observe everything, which is part of their learning.’”
Concerns About Fit and Safety
The bill also encountered resistance due to concerns about the practicality of the proposed changes. Rep. Rolanda Hollis, a Democrat from Birmingham, spoke about her 4-year-old nephew, who has long legs and would not fit into a convertible car seat if the weight limit was raised to 65 pounds. She also raised concerns that facing the back of the seat might be uncomfortable for children like her nephew.
Why the Bill Was Proposed
Rep. Bolton defended the bill, citing recommendations from several well-known organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics. He pointed out that Alabama’s car seat regulations are outdated and that the average size of children has increased over the last 20 years. According to Bolton, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had updated their standards because of this increase in children’s average weight, and Alabama needed to follow suit to stay aligned with national safety guidelines.
In addition to the American Academy of Pediatrics, other groups such as the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Children’s Hospital, and Safe Kids Alabama supported the bill. They argued that updating the car seat regulations would help reduce the risks of injuries to young children in the event of a crash.
What Happens Next
After the bill failed to pass in the House, Rep. Bolton expressed his intention to work with lawmakers who opposed the bill in hopes of finding a compromise. However, he acknowledged that it was unlikely the legislation would return this session. “I’m gonna try to work with them, see if we can find some kind of accommodation,” Bolton said in an interview.
Despite the failure, the conversation about child car safety is far from over. Advocates for updated safety standards hope that lawmakers will continue to work together to find a solution that protects children on the road while addressing the concerns raised during the debate.
The Way Forward
As the debate continues, it’s important to remember that the main goal of the bill was to improve child safety in vehicles. With growing concerns about the health and safety of children on the road, especially with the increasing size of young children, it’s essential for lawmakers to find a balance between enforcing modern safety regulations and ensuring that they are practical for families.
The outcome of this bill highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration between lawmakers, parents, and child safety experts. It also serves as a reminder that safety regulations need to evolve as society and technology progress.
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