Massachusetts Law Requires Kids Under 8 to be in Booster Seats

Similar to Virginia, Massachusetts has passed a law which requires kids under the age of 8 to ride in a car seat or booster seat. The law, which took effect July 10, 2008, replaces an old safety seat statute that required children under the age of 5 or under 40 pounds to be in a child car seat. The new car seat law is based on age and height-based rather than age and weight based, attempting to prevent children from improper alignment of adult seat belts.

From BostonHerald.com

…parents are required to use car seats or booster seats to protect kids until they are tall enough for adult seat belts.

Under the new law, children must be 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall to use adult belts. Smaller children don’t get the safety benefit — and can be seriously injured — from adult seat belts that run across their abdomens or chest instead of their hips.

The new law replaces one that used a weight and age standard for using adult belts. The old law required only that kids up to age 5 and 40 pounds be protected by a car seat or booster seat.

The new law carries a $25 fine.