Seasonal Safety
Maryland Enacts Expansion of Booster Seat Law

Governor Martin O’Malley and Child Safety Advocates at Booster Seat Bill Signing Ceremony

On May 13, 2008, Governor Martin O’Malley signed S.B. 789, Maryland’s booster seat bill, into law. Starting on June 30th, children in Maryland will be required to be in a child safety seat up to their 8th birthday, unless they weigh more than 65 pounds or are 4’9” or taller. Children ages 8 – 15 will be required to use a child safety seat or safety belt.

Maryland's previous booster seat law covered children through age 5 (regardless of weight) or children weighing 40 pounds or less (regardless of age). There are currently a total of 43 states (including Washington, D.C.) with some form of a child passenger safety law that protects older children.

This effort was led by many community advocates in Maryland, including Safe Kids Baltimore’s Karen Hardingham and Safe Kids Montgomery County’s Emilie Crown. Both coalitions testified for the legislation and worked to make the bill as strong as possible to protect children. We congratulate all Safe Kids coalitions in Maryland for their diligence over the years in pursuing this new law.