Ch. 401                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(k) The failure to provide a child safety seat[,] OR seat belt[, or combination
seat belt-shoulder harness] for more than 1 child in the same vehicle at the same time, as
required by this section, shall be treated as a single violation.

(1) (1) Any person convicted of a violation of this section is subject to a fine of

$25.

section:

(2) A judge may waive the fine if the person charged with violation of this

(i) Did not possess a child safety seat at the time of the violation;

(ii) Acquires a child safety seat prior to the hearing date; and

(iii) Provides proof of acquisition to the court.

(m) The Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene shall jointly implement the Child Safety Seat Program and foster compliance
with this section through educational and promotional efforts.

22-412.3.

(a)     (1) In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)     (i) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle that is:

1.       Registered or capable of being registered in this State as a
Class A (passenger), Class E (truck), Class F (tractor), Class M (multipurpose), or Class
P (passenger bus) vehicle; and

2.       Required to be equipped with seat belts under federal motor
vehicle safety standards contained in the Code of Federal Regulations.

(ii) "Motor vehicle" does not include a Class L (historic) vehicle.

(3)     "Outboard front seat" means a front seat position that is adjacent to a
door of a motor vehicle.

(4)     (i) "Seat belt" means a restraining device described under § 22-412 of
this article.

(ii) "Seat belt" includes a combination seat belt-shoulder harness.

(b)     A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the person and each
[ outboard front seat] occupant under 16 years old are restrained by a seat belt or a child
safety seat as provided in § 22-412.2 of this article.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1996.

Approved May 14, 1996.

- 2642 -