SB 1146, An Act Concerning Child Restraint Systems For Children Transported In Motor Vehicles

TESTIMONY OF CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
SUBMITTED TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Monday, February 10, 2025

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) appreciates this opportunity to submit testimony concerning SB 1146, An Act Concerning Child Restraint Systems For Children Transported In Motor Vehicles. CHA opposes this bill as drafted.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems care for patients, strengthen the state’s economy, and support vulnerable communities across the state.

Every day, they work to improve healthcare access, affordability, and health equity. Even as they face ongoing challenges, hospitals provide world-class care to everyone who walks through their doors, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospitals also support an exemplary workforce as the largest collective employer in the state, contribute significantly to the state’s economy, and invest in their communities addressing social drivers of health.
Connecticut hospitals are focused on advancing best practices as a way to reduce and eliminate harm, injury, and death caused by what are otherwise preventable incidents.

SB 1146 seeks to modify the current state statute regarding car seats by increasing the age at which a child must be seated in a rear-facing car seat.

As background, in 2017, Connecticut law was amended to require children under the age of 2 and weighing less than 30 pounds to remain rear-facing in an approved child restraint. This change aligned state statute with industry standards, research, and recommendations from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). While the law sets minimum requirements, the standard recommendation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), manufacturers, car seat technicians, and instructors nationwide is to keep children 1-3 years of age rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limits printed on the car seat.

Modifying the car seat mandate as proposed in SB 1146 creates a standard that is not in keeping with the guidelines of maximum height and weight allowed by manufacturers’ recommendations and would potentially lead to more improperly installed and improperly used car seats on our roads. Additionally, it could likely cause financial hardship for some families as they attempt to comply with the new standard. While we applaud the committee’s effort to build awareness of the benefits of extended rear-facing use, we do not support the bill before you as drafted.

Thank you for your consideration of our position. For additional information, contact CHA Government Relations at (203) 294-7301.