SACRAMENTO, CA — California lawmakers have approved a major update to the state’s child passenger safety laws, expanding booster seat requirements to include some teens up to 16 years old.
The new measure, Assembly Bill 435, was signed into law this month and is scheduled to take effect in 2027, aiming to close safety gaps that officials say put smaller passengers at risk in vehicle collisions.
New Safety Rules for Older Kids and Teens
Under the updated law, children and teens ages 8 to 16 will now need to pass what’s known as the “five-step test” to determine whether they can safely ride without a booster seat.
The test checks for the following:
- The child can sit back against the seat with knees bent naturally over the edge.
- The seat belt crosses the shoulder between the neck and arm.
- The lap belt rests low across the hips, not the stomach.
- The child can stay seated comfortably in this position for the entire ride.
- The shoulder belt stays properly positioned even when moving.
If the child fails any of these checks, they must continue using a booster seat until they can safely fit the seat belt system on their own.
Why the Law Was Expanded
Safety experts and lawmakers behind Assembly Bill 435 said the change was necessary after studies showed that many older children and smaller teenagers were improperly restrained, increasing the risk of serious injury during accidents…