CAR SEAT Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7679
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:08:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to enhance child safety in vehicles by educating the public about the risks of noncompliant or counterfeit child restraint systems, such as car seats and booster seats, that fail to meet federal safety standards. It seeks to integrate this education into existing highway safety programs to promote awareness and prevention of injuries from unsafe products.
Key Provisions
- Education Campaign (Section 2): The Secretary of Transportation must launch a nationwide education campaign within one year of the bill's enactment. The campaign will focus on:
- Dangers of noncompliant or counterfeit child restraint systems that do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards (specifically, sections 571.213 and 571.213b of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, which set requirements for child restraints like harnesses and boosters).
- Methods for identifying and avoiding such unsafe products.
- Funding: Authorizes $1,500,000 for the campaign, available until fully spent.
- Amendment to Highway Safety Programs (Section 3): Expands authorized activities under federal highway safety grants to include public information and education on the specified child restraint risks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 402(a)(2)(A)(iii) of title 23, United States Code, which governs highway safety programs funded by the federal government. The change adds language allowing states to use grant funds for public education on counterfeit or noncompliant child restraints, building on existing provisions that support safety initiatives for underserved populations. This integrates child restraint education directly into the national highway safety framework without altering core funding structures.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) will lead the education campaign, requiring coordination with state highway safety offices that receive federal grants. This could increase administrative workload but streamline safety messaging through existing programs.
- Citizens: Parents and caregivers may gain better knowledge to select safe child restraints, potentially reducing child injuries or fatalities in vehicle accidents caused by substandard products. Broader public awareness could decrease the market for counterfeit items.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the campaign may indirectly affect global trade by discouraging imports of noncompliant restraints from overseas manufacturers.
Main Stakeholders
- Parents and Caregivers: Primary beneficiaries, as they purchase and use child restraints for vehicle safety.
- Children: Indirectly protected through safer restraint options and reduced exposure to hazardous products.
- Department of Transportation and State Agencies: Responsible for implementing the campaign and integrating education into grant-funded programs.
- Child Restraint Manufacturers and Retailers: Affected by increased scrutiny on product compliance, potentially boosting demand for certified items while pressuring counterfeit sellers.
- Safety Advocates and Nonprofits: May collaborate on outreach, amplifying the campaign's reach.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of existing federal safety standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) by promoting voluntary compliance through education, without introducing new penalties or regulations. The authorization of appropriations aligns with congressional budgeting powers under the Constitution.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; the bill supports the federal government's role in interstate commerce and public safety via the Commerce Clause, without infringing on state authority over local enforcement.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan focus on child welfare and road safety, potentially setting a precedent for targeted education campaigns in consumer product safety. The modest funding level suggests low fiscal controversy, emphasizing prevention over regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Child Automobile Restraint Safety Education and Training Act — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (3 pages)