§32304B. Child safety

§32304B. Child safety

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Passenger motor vehicle.—The term "passenger motor vehicle" has the meaning given that term in section 32101.

(2) Rear-designated seating position.—The term "rear-designated seating position" means designated seating positions that are rearward of the front seat.

(3) Secretary.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation.

(b) Rulemaking.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a final rule requiring all new passenger motor vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to be equipped with a system to alert the operator to check rear-designated seating positions after the vehicle engine or motor is deactivated by the operator.

(c) Means.—The alert required under subsection (b)—

(1) shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert; and

(2) shall be activated when the vehicle motor is deactivated by the operator.

(d) Phase-in.—The rule issued pursuant to subsection (b) shall require full compliance with the rule beginning on September 1st of the first calendar year that begins 2 years after the date on which the final rule is issued.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved Nov. 15, 2021.