Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law, Maryland’s new child safety seat law went into effect October 1, 2003. The new law requires that all children younger than six years of age, regardless of weight, or who weigh 40 pounds or less, regardless of age, must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. The child restraints must be right for the child’s size, age and weight.

A person may not transport a child younger than 16 years of age unless the child is secrured in a safety seat or a vehicle’s seat belt. A child younger than 16 may not ride in the unenclosed cargo bed of a truck. A vehicle can be stopped, and the driver issued a citation for a violation of these laws. Remember, the safest location in a car to buckle up a child is in the middle of the rear seat. Buckle up our children...follow our law! Questions? Call Maryland Kids in Safety Seats at 1-800-370-SEAT or the Maryland State Highway Administration at (410) 787-5822.