Revise Child Passenger Restraint Systems Law.
This bill revises North Carolina's child passenger restraint system laws. It updates requirements for securing children based on age, height, and weight, specifying that newborns must use rear-facing systems and transition according to manufacturer guidelines. The bill clarifies when children must ride in a rear seat and under what circumstances a child may use a lap-only or a lap and shoulder belt. It also defines specific fit criteria for proper lap and shoulder belt use for older children. These changes directly affect drivers transporting children under 16 years of age.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025
Last action Jun 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Edition 2
→
Edition 3
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from the House version to include a Senate Judiciary Committee substitute, which adds a new section requiring arbitration for disputes over uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle claims. It also revised the effective date for the child restraint requirements from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2026. The core rules for child car seats remain largely the same, though the text was reorganized to accommodate the new arbitration mandates.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include mandatory arbitration procedures for uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle liability claims, in addition to the existing child passenger safety laws.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement for mandatory arbitration when insured parties and insurers disagree on liability or damage amounts for uninsured or underinsured motor vehicle claims.
TIMELINE
Changed the effective date for the child passenger restraint system law from December 1, 2025, to December 1, 2026.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill title to reflect the addition of arbitration requirements and reorganized the text to include the new Section 2 regarding motor vehicle liability policies.
Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
10
Jun 16, 2026
Committee
Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Jun 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Com Substitute Adopted
upper
Jun 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reptd Fav Com Substitute
upper
Jun 11, 2026
Committee
Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed 3rd Reading
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Committee
Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Re-ref Com On Judiciary 1
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav Com Substitute
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Committee
Ref to the Com on Transportation, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Filed
lower
3 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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