49 U.S.C. § 30127 — Automatic occupant crash protection

Page 783 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30127 § 30127. Automatic occupant crash protection and seat belt use (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— (1) ‘‘bus’’ means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer) designed to carry more than 10 individuals. (2) ‘‘multipurpose passenger vehicle’’ means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer), designed to carry not more than 10 in- dividuals, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occa- sional off-road operation. (3) ‘‘passenger car’’ means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a multipurpose pas- senger vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer) de- signed to carry not more than 10 individuals. (4) ‘‘truck’’ means a motor vehicle with mo- tive power (except a trailer) designed pri- marily to transport property or special pur- pose equipment. (b) INFLATABLE RESTRAINT REQUIREMENTS.—(1) Not later than September 1, 1993, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe under this chapter an amendment to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 issued under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. The amendment shall require that the auto- matic occupant crash protection system for both of the front outboard seating positions for each of the following vehicles be an inflatable restraint (with lap and shoulder belts) com- plying with the occupant protection require- ments under section 4.1.2.1 of Standard 208: (A) 95 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of passenger cars manufactured after August 31, 1996, and before September 1, 1997. (B) 80 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of buses, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks (except walk-in van-type trucks and vehicles designed to be sold only to the United States Postal Service) with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 8,500 pounds and an unloaded vehicle weight of not more than 5,500 pounds manufactured after August 31, 1997, and before September 1, 1998. (C) 100 percent of each manufacturer’s an- nual production of passenger cars manufac- tured after August 31, 1997. (D) 100 percent of each manufacturer’s an- nual production of vehicles described in clause (B) of this paragraph manufactured after Au- gust 31, 1998. (2) Manufacturers may not use credits and in- centives available before September 1, 1998, under the provisions of Standard 208 (as amend- ed by this section) to comply with the require- ments of paragraph (1)(D) of this subsection after August 31, 1998. (c) OWNER MANUAL REQUIREMENTS.—In amend- ing Standard 208, the Secretary of Transpor- tation shall require, to be effective as soon as possible after the amendment is prescribed, that owner manuals for passenger cars, buses, multi- purpose passenger vehicles, and trucks equipped with an inflatable restraint include a statement in an easily understandable format stating that— (1) either or both of the front outboard seat- ing positions of the vehicle are equipped with an inflatable restraint referred to as an ‘‘air- bag’’ and a lap and shoulder belt; (2) the ‘‘airbag’’ is a supplemental restraint and is not a substitute for lap and shoulder belts; (3) lap and shoulder belts also must be used correctly by an occupant in a front outboard seating position to provide restraint or protec- tion from frontal crashes as well as other types of crashes or accidents; and (4) occupants should always wear their lap and shoulder belts, if available, or other safety belts, whether or not there is an inflatable re- straint. (d) SEAT BELT USE LAWS.—Congress finds that it is in the public interest for each State to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use laws and for the United States Government to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use regula- tions. (e) TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS.—(1) On applica- tion of a manufacturer, the Secretary of Trans- portation may exempt, on a temporary basis, motor vehicles of that manufacturer from any requirement under subsections (b) and (c) of this section on terms the Secretary considers appro- priate. An exemption may be renewed. (2) The Secretary of Transportation may grant an exemption under paragraph (1) of this sub- section if the Secretary finds that there has been a disruption in the supply of any compo- nent of an inflatable restraint or in the use and installation of that component by the manufac- turer because of an unavoidable event not under the control of the manufacturer that will pre- vent the manufacturer from meeting its antici- pated production volume of vehicles with those restraints. (3) Only an affected manufacturer may apply for an exemption. The Secretary of Transpor- tation shall prescribe in the amendment to Standard 208 required under this section the in- formation an affected manufacturer must in- clude in its application under this subsection. The manufacturer shall specify in the applica- tion the models, lines, and types of vehicles af- fected. The Secretary may consolidate similar applications from different manufacturers. (4) An exemption or renewal of an exemption is conditioned on the commitment of the manu- facturer to recall the exempted vehicles for in- stallation of the omitted inflatable restraints within a reasonable time that the manufacturer proposes and the Secretary of Transportation approves after the components become available in sufficient quantities to satisfy both antici- pated production and recall volume require- ments. (5) The Secretary of Transportation shall pub- lish in the Federal Register a notice of each ap- plication under this subsection and each deci- sion to grant or deny a temporary exemption and the reasons for the decision. (6) The Secretary of Transportation shall re- quire a label for each exempted vehicle that can be removed only after recall and installation of the required inflatable restraint. The Secretary shall require that written notice of the exemp- tion be provided to the dealer and the first pur- chaser of each exempted vehicle other than for resale, with the notice being provided in a way, Page 784 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30127 and containing the information, the Secretary considers appropriate. (f) APPLICATION.—(1) This section revises, but does not replace, Standard 208 as in effect on De- cember 18, 1991, including the amendment of March 26, 1991 (56 Fed. Reg. 12472), to Standard 208, extending the requirements for automatic crash protection, with incentives for more inno- vative automatic crash protection, to trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles. This section may not be construed as— (A) affecting another provision of law car- ried out by the Secretary of Transportation applicable to passenger cars, buses, multipur- pose passenger vehicles, or trucks; or (B) establishing a precedent related to devel- oping or prescribing a Government motor ve- hicle safety standard. (2) This section and amendments to Standard 208 made under this section may not be con- strued as indicating an intention by Congress to affect any liability of a motor vehicle manufac- turer under applicable law related to vehicles with or without inflatable restraints. (g) REPORT.—(1) On October 1, 1992, and annu- ally after that date through October 1, 2000, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit re- ports on the effectiveness of occupant restraint systems expressed as a percentage reduction in fatalities or injuries of restrained occupants compared to unrestrained occupants for— (A) a combination of inflated restraints and lap and shoulder belts; (B) inflated restraints only; and (C) lap and shoulder belts only. (2) In consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Defense, the Secretary of Transpor- tation also shall provide information and anal- ysis on lap and shoulder belt use, nationally and in each State by— (A) military personnel; (B) Government, State, and local law en- forcement officers; (C) other Government and State employees; and (D) the public. (h) AIRBAGS FOR GOVERNMENT CARS.—In co- operation with the Administrator of General Services and the heads of appropriate depart- ments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program, consistent with appli- cable procurement laws of the Government and available appropriations, requiring that all pas- senger cars acquired— (1) after September 30, 1994, for use by the Government be equipped, to the maximum ex- tent practicable, with driver-side inflatable re- straints; and (2) after September 30, 1996, for use by the Government be equipped, to the maximum ex- tent practicable, with inflatable restraints for both front outboard seating positions. (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 958; Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7106(c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 467.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large) 30127(a) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2502(a), 105 Stat. 2081. 30127(b) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(1) (1st sentence), (b), 105 Stat. 2084, 2085. 30127(c) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(2), 105 Stat. 2085. 30127(d) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(3), 105 Stat. 2085. 30127(e) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(c), 105 Stat. 2086. 30127(f) ....... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(a)(1) (last sentence), (d), 105 Stat. 2085, 2086. 30127(g) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(e), 105 Stat. 2086. 30127(h) ...... 15:1392 (note). Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, § 2508(f), 105 Stat. 2087. In subsection (a), the definitions are derived from section 2502(a) of the Intermodal Surface Transpor- tation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law 102–240, 105 Stat. 2081) and are restated because those definitions apply to the source provisions being restated in this section. In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule’’ and ‘‘(to the extent such Act is not in conflict with the provisions of this section)’’ are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words ‘‘The amend- ment shall require’’ are substituted for ‘‘The amend- ment promulgated under subsection (a) shall establish the following schedule’’ for clarity. The words ‘‘manu- factured on or after the dates specified in the applica- ble schedule established by subsection (b)’’, ‘‘The amendment shall take effect’’, and ‘‘Subject to the pro- visions of subsection (c)’’ are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words ‘‘for both of the front outboard seating positions for each’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘for the front outboard designated seating positions of each’’ for clarity. In clause (B), the word ‘‘new’’ is omitted as unnecessary because of the re- statement. The word ‘‘only’’ is substituted for ‘‘exclu- sively’’ for consistency in the revised title. In subsection (b)(2), the words ‘‘after August 31, 1998’’ are substituted for ‘‘on and after such date’’ for clarity. In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words ‘‘In amending Standard 208, the Secretary of Transpor- tation shall require’’ are substituted for ‘‘The amend- ment to such Standard 208 shall also require’’ for clar- ity and to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (e)(3), the words ‘‘Only an affected man- ufacturer may apply for an exemption’’ are added for clarity. The words ‘‘consolidate similar applications from different manufacturers’’ are substituted for ‘‘consolidate applications of a similar nature of 1 or more manufacturers’’ for clarity. In subsection (f)(1), before clause (A), the words ‘‘by the Secretary or any other person, including any court’’ are omitted as surplus. In clause (A), the word ‘‘affecting’’ is substituted for ‘‘altering or affecting’’ to eliminate an unnecessary word. In subsection (f)(2), the words ‘‘by any person or court’’ are omitted as unnecessary. The word ‘‘affect’’ is substituted for ‘‘affect, change, or modify’’ to elimi- nate unnecessary words. In subsection (g)(1), before clause (A), the words ‘‘and every 6 months after that date through’’ are sub- stituted for ‘‘biannually . . . and continuing to’’ for clarity. The word ‘‘actual’’ is omitted as unnecessary. The word ‘‘expressed’’ is substituted for ‘‘defined’’ for clarity. In subsection (g)(2)(C), the words ‘‘other Government and State employees’’ are substituted for ‘‘Federal and State employees other than law enforcement officers’’ for clarity and because of the restatement. In subsection (h)(2), the words ‘‘for both front out- board seating positions’’ are substituted for ‘‘for both the driver and front seat outboard seating positions’’ for clarity and consistency in this section. Page 785 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30127 Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is Pub. L. 89–563, Sept. 9, 1966, 80 Stat. 718, which was classified generally to chapter 38 (§ 1381 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and was substantially repealed by Pub. L. 103–272, § 7(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1379, and reenacted by the first section thereof as this chapter. AMENDMENTS 1998—Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 105–178 substituted ‘‘an- nually’’ for ‘‘every 6 months’’ in introductory provi- sions. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries LIMOUSINE COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title III, § 23023, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 782, provided that: ‘‘(a) LIMOUSINE STANDARDS.— ‘‘(1) SAFETY BELT AND SEATING SYSTEM STANDARDS FOR LIMOUSINES.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Sec- retary [of Transportation] shall prescribe a final rule that— ‘‘(A) amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand- ard Numbers 208, 209, and 210 to require to be in- stalled in limousines on each designated seating po- sition, including on side-facing seats— ‘‘(i) an occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap-shoulder belts; or ‘‘(ii) an occupant restraint system consisting of a lap belt, if an occupant restraint system de- scribed in clause (i) does not meet the need for motor vehicle safety; and ‘‘(B) amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand- ard Number 207 to require limousines to meet standards for seats (including side-facing seats), seat attachment assemblies, and seat installation to minimize the possibility of failure by forces act- ing on the seats, attachment assemblies, and instal- lations as a result of motor vehicle impact. ‘‘(2) REPORT ON RETROFIT ASSESSMENT FOR LIM- OUSINES.—Not later than 2 years after the date of en- actment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- tation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a re- port that assesses the feasibility, benefits, and costs with respect to the application of any requirement established under paragraph (1) to a limousine intro- duced into interstate commerce before the date on which the requirement takes effect. ‘‘(b) MODIFICATIONS OF CERTAIN VEHICLES.—The final rule prescribed under subsection (a)(1) and any stand- ards prescribed under subsection (b) or (c) of section 23015 shall apply to a person modifying a passenger motor vehicle (as defined in section 32101 of title 49, United States Code) that has already been purchased by the first purchaser (as defined in section 30102(b) of that title) by increasing the wheelbase of the vehicle to make the vehicle a limousine. ‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—The requirements of this section apply notwithstanding section 30112(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code.’’ IMPROVEMENT OF DATA COLLECTION ON CHILD OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE CRASHES Pub. L. 114–94, div. B, title XXIV, § 24407, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1726, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Sec- retary shall revise the crash investigation data collec- tion system of the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad- ministration to include the collection of the following data in connection with vehicle crashes whenever a child restraint system was in use in a vehicle involved in a crash: ‘‘(1) The type or types of child restraint systems in use during the crash in any vehicle involved in the crash, including whether a five-point harness or belt- positioning booster. [sic] ‘‘(2) If a five-point harness child restraint system was in use during the crash, whether the child re- straint system was forward-facing or rear-facing in the vehicle concerned. ‘‘(b) CONSULTATION.—In implementing subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with law enforcement offi- cials, safety advocates, the medical community, and re- search organizations to improve the recordation of data described in subsection (a) in police and other applica- ble incident reports. ‘‘(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor- tation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on child occupant crash data collection in the crash inves- tigation data collection system of the National High- way Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to the re- vision required by subsection (a).’’ CHILD SAFETY SEATS Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31501, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 773, provided that: ‘‘(a) SIDE IMPACT CRASHES.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termi- nation Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Secretary [of Transpor- tation] shall issue a final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213 to improve the protection of children seated in child restraint systems during side impact crashes. ‘‘(b) FRONTAL IMPACT TEST PARAMETERS.— ‘‘(1) COMMENCEMENT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall commence a rulemaking proceeding to amend the standard seat assembly specifications under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213 to better simulate a single representative motor vehicle rear seat. ‘‘(2) FINAL RULE.—Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final rule pursuant to paragraph (1).’’ CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31502, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 774, provided that: ‘‘(a) INITIATION OF RULEMAKING PROCEEDING.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Sec- retary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 225 (relating to child restraint an- chorage systems) to improve the ease of use for lower anchorages and tethers in all rear seat seating posi- tions if such anchorages and tethers are feasible. ‘‘(b) FINAL RULE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under para- graph (2) and section 31505 [set out as a note below], the Secretary shall issue a final rule under subsection (a) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. ‘‘(2) REPORT.—If the Secretary determines that an amendment to the standard referred to in subsection (a) does not meet the requirements and consider- ations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to— ‘‘(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and Page 786 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30127 ‘‘(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.’’ REAR SEAT BELT REMINDERS Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31503, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 774, provided that: ‘‘(a) INITIATION OF RULEMAKING PROCEEDING.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [see section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Sec- retary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 208 (relating to occupant crash pro- tection) to provide a safety belt use warning system for designated seating positions in the rear seat. ‘‘(b) FINAL RULE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under para- graph (2) and section 31505 [set out as a note below], the Secretary shall issue a final rule under subsection (a) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. ‘‘(2) REPORT.—If the Secretary determines that an amendment to the standard referred to in subsection (a) does not meet the requirements and consider- ations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to— ‘‘(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and ‘‘(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.’’ NEW DEADLINE Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31505, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 775, provided that: ‘‘If the Secretary [of Transpor- tation] determines that any deadline for issuing a final rule under this Act [probably should be ‘‘this title’’, see Tables for classification] cannot be met, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(1) provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa- tives with an explanation for why such deadline can- not be met; and ‘‘(2) establish a new deadline for that rule.’’ IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF CHILD RESTRAINTS Pub. L. 107–318, Dec. 4, 2002, 116 Stat. 2772, provided that: ‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘This Act may be cited as ‘Anton’s Law’. ‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS. ‘‘Congress finds the following: ‘‘(1) It is the policy of the Department of Transpor- tation that all child occupants of motor vehicles, re- gardless of seating position, be appropriately re- strained in order to reduce the incidence of injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes on the streets, roads, and highways. ‘‘(2) Research has shown that very few children be- tween the ages of 4 to 8 years old are in the appro- priate restraint for their age when riding in pas- senger motor vehicles. ‘‘(3) Children who have outgrown their child safety seats should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until an adult seat belt fits properly. ‘‘(4) Children who were properly restrained when riding in passenger motor vehicles suffered less se- vere injuries from accidents than children not prop- erly restrained. ‘‘SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF SAFETY OF CHILD RE- STRAINTS IN PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLES. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation (hereafter referred to as the ‘Secretary’) shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish performance re- quirements for child restraints, including booster seats, for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds. ‘‘(b) ELEMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION.—In the rule- making proceeding required by subsection (a), the Sec- retary shall— ‘‘(1) consider whether to include injury performance criteria for child restraints, including booster seats and other products for use in passenger motor vehi- cles for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds, under the requirements established in the rulemaking proceeding; ‘‘(2) consider whether to establish performance re- quirements for seat belt fit when used with booster seats and other belt guidance devices; ‘‘(3) consider whether to address situations where children weighing more than 50 pounds only have ac- cess to seating positions with lap belts, such as allow- ing tethered child restraints for such children; and ‘‘(4) review the definition of the term ‘booster seat’ in Federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 213 under section 571.213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regu- lations, to determine if it is sufficiently comprehen- sive. ‘‘(c) COMPLETION.—The Secretary shall complete the rulemaking proceeding required by subsection (a) not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2002]. ‘‘SEC. 4. DEVELOPMENT OF ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE SIMULATING A 10-YEAR OLD CHILD. ‘‘(a) DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION.—Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2002], the Secretary shall develop and evaluate an anthropomorphic test device that simulates a 10- year old child for use in testing child restraints used in passenger motor vehicles. ‘‘(b) ADOPTION BY RULEMAKING.—Within 1 year fol- lowing the development and evaluation carried out under subsection (a), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding for the adoption of an anthropomorphic test device as developed under sub- section (a). ‘‘SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2002], the Sec- retary shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to amend Federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 208 under section 571.208 of title 49, Code of Federal Regula- tions, relating to occupant crash protection, in order to— ‘‘(1) require a lap and shoulder belt assembly for each rear designated seating position in a passenger motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, except that if the Secretary de- termines that installation of a lap and shoulder belt assembly is not practicable for a particular des- ignated seating position in a particular type of pas- senger motor vehicle, the Secretary may exclude the designated seating position from the requirement; and ‘‘(2) apply that requirement to passenger motor ve- hicles in phases in accordance with subsection (b). ‘‘(b) IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE.—The requirement prescribed under subsection (a)(1) shall be implemented in phases on a production year basis beginning with the production year that begins not later than 12 months after the end of the year in which the regulations are prescribed under subsection (a). The final rule shall apply to all passenger motor vehicles with a gross vehi- cle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less that are manu- factured in the third production year of the implemen- tation phase-in under the schedule. ‘‘SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SYSTEMS. ‘‘(a) EVALUATION.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2002], the Sec- Page 787 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30127 retary shall initiate an evaluation of integrated or built-in child restraints and booster seats. The evalua- tion should include— ‘‘(1) the safety of the child restraint and correct- ness of fit for the child; ‘‘(2) the availability of testing data on the system and vehicle in which the child restraint will be used; ‘‘(3) the compatibility of the child restraint with different makes and models; ‘‘(4) the cost-effectiveness of mass production of the child restraint for consumers; ‘‘(5) the ease of use and relative availability of the child restraint to children riding in motor vehicles; and ‘‘(6) the benefits of built-in seats for improving compliance with State child occupant restraint laws. ‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2002], the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Energy and Com- merce of the House of Representatives and the Com- mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report of this evaluation. ‘‘SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. ‘‘As used in this Act, the following definitions apply: ‘‘(1) CHILD RESTRAINT.—The term ‘child restraint’ means any product designed to provide restraint to a child (including booster seats and other products used with a lap and shoulder belt assembly) that meets ap- plicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards pre- scribed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad- ministration. ‘‘(2) PRODUCTION YEAR.—The term ‘production year’ means the 12-month period between September 1 of a year and August 31 of the following year. ‘‘(3) PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE.—The term ‘pas- senger motor vehicle’ has the meaning given that term in [former] section 405(f)(5) of title 23, United States Code. ‘‘SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro- priated $5,000,000 to the Secretary of Transportation for— ‘‘(1) the evaluation required by section 6 of this Act; and ‘‘(2) research of the nature and causes of injury to children involved in motor vehicle crashes. ‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—Funds appropriated under sub- section (a) shall not be available for the general admin- istrative expenses of the Secretary.’’ Pub. L. 106–414, § 14, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1806, pro- vided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000], the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a rule- making for the purpose of improving the safety of child restraints, including minimizing head injuries from side impact collisions. ‘‘(b) ELEMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION.—In the rule- making required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider— ‘‘(1) whether to require more comprehensive tests for child restraints than the current Federal motor vehicle safety standards requires, including the use of dynamic tests that— ‘‘(A) replicate an array of crash conditions, such as side-impact crashes and rear-impact crashes; and ‘‘(B) reflect the designs of passenger motor vehi- cles as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000]; ‘‘(2) whether to require the use of anthropomorphic test devices that— ‘‘(A) represent a greater range of sizes of children including the need to require the use of an anthropomorphic test device that is representative of a ten-year-old child; and ‘‘(B) are Hybrid III anthropomorphic test devices; ‘‘(3) whether to require improved protection from head injuries in side-impact and rear-impact crashes; ‘‘(4) how to provide consumer information on the physical compatibility of child restraints and vehicle seats on a model-by-model basis; ‘‘(5) whether to prescribe clearer and simpler labels and instructions required to be placed on child re- straints; ‘‘(6) whether to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safe- ty Standard No. 213 (49 CFR 571.213) to cover re- straints for children weighing up to 80 pounds; ‘‘(7) whether to establish booster seat performance and structural integrity requirements to be dynami- cally tested in 3-point lap and shoulder belts; ‘‘(8) whether to apply scaled injury criteria per- formance levels, including neck injury, developed for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 to child restraints and booster seats covered by in Fed- eral Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213; and ‘‘(9) whether to include child restraint in each vehi- cle crash tested under the New Car Assessment Pro- gram. ‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—If the Secretary does not incorporate any element described in subsection (b) in the final rule, the Secretary shall explain, in a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Com- mittee on Commerce [now Committee on Energy and Commerce] submitted within 30 days after issuing the final rule, specifically why the Secretary did not incor- porate any such element in the final rule. ‘‘(d) COMPLETION.—Notwithstanding any other provi- sion of law, the Secretary shall complete the rule- making required by subsection (a) not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000]. ‘‘(e) CHILD RESTRAINT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘child restraint’ has the meaning given the term ‘Child restraint system’ in section 571.213 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000]). ‘‘(f) FUNDING.—For each fiscal year, of the funds made available to the Secretary for activities relating to safety, not less than $750,000 shall be made available to carry out crash testing of child restraints. ‘‘(g) CHILD RESTRAINT SAFETY RATINGS PROGRAM.—No later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000], the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a child restraint safety rating consumer information program to provide practicable, readily understand- able, and timely information to consumers for use in making informed decisions in the purchase of child re- straints. No later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act the Secretary shall issue a final rule establishing a child restraint safety rating pro- gram and providing other consumer information which the Secretary determines would be useful [to] con- sumers who purchase child restraint systems. ‘‘(h) BOOSTER SEAT STUDY.—In addition to consider- ation of booster seat performance and structural integ- rity contained in subsection (b)(7), not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000], the Secretary of Transportation shall ini- tiate and complete a study, taking into account the views of the public, on the use and effectiveness of automobile booster seats for children, compiling infor- mation on the advantages and disadvantages of using booster seats and determining the benefits, if any, to children from use of booster with lap and shoulder belts compared to children using lap and shoulder belts alone, and submit a report on the results of that study to the Congress. ‘‘(i) BOOSTER SEAT EDUCATION PROGRAM.—The Sec- retary of Transportation within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000] shall develop [a] 5 year strategic plan to reduce deaths and injuries caused by failure to use the appropriate booster seat in the 4 to 8 year old age group by 25 percent.’’ IMPROVING AIR BAG SAFETY Pub. L. 105–178, title VII, § 7103, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 465, provided that: ‘‘(a) RULEMAKING TO IMPROVE AIR BAGS.— ‘‘(1) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—Not later than September 1, 1998, the Secretary of Transpor- Page 788 TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION § 30128 tation shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to improve occupant protection for occupants of dif- ferent sizes, belted and unbelted, under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, while mini- mizing the risk to infants, children, and other occu- pants from injuries and deaths caused by air bags, by means that include advanced air bags. ‘‘(2) FINAL RULE.—Notwithstanding any other provi- sion of law, the Secretary shall complete the rule- making required by this subsection by issuing, not later than September 1, 1999, a final rule with any provision the Secretary deems appropriate, con- sistent with paragraph (1) and the requirements of section 30111, title 49, United States Code. If the Sec- retary determines that the final rule cannot be com- pleted by that date to meet the purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary may extend the date for issuing the final rule to not later than March 1, 2000. ‘‘(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The final rule issued under this subsection shall become effective in phases as rapidly as practicable, beginning not earlier than September 1, 2002, and no sooner than 30 months after the date of the issuance of the final rule, but not later than September 1, 2003. The final rule shall be- come fully effective for all vehicles identified in sec- tion 30127(b), title 49, United States Code, that are manufactured on and after September 1, 2005. Should the phase-in of the final rule required by this para- graph commence on September 1, 2003, then in that event, and only in that event, the Secretary is au- thorized to make the final rule fully effective on Sep- tember 1, 2006, for all vehicles that are manufactured on and after that date. ‘‘(4) COORDINATION OF EFFECTIVE DATES.—The re- quirements of S13 of Standard No. 208 shall remain in effect unless and until changed by the rule required by this subsection. ‘‘(5) CREDIT FOR EARLY COMPLIANCE.—To encourage early compliance, the Secretary is directed to include in the notice of proposed rulemaking required by paragraph (1) means by which manufacturers may earn credits for future compliance. Credits, on a one- vehicle for one-vehicle basis, may be earned for vehi- cles certified as being in full compliance under sec- tion 30115 of title 49, United States Code, with the rule required by paragraph (2) which are either— ‘‘(A) so certified in advance of the phase-in pe- riod; or ‘‘(B) in excess of the percentage requirements during the phase-in period. ‘‘(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—Any government advi- sory committee, task force, or other entity involving air bags shall include representatives of consumer and safety organizations, insurers, manufacturers, and sup- pliers.’’ § 30128. Vehicle rollover prevention and crash mitigation (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall initiate rulemaking proceedings, for the purpose of es- tablishing rules or standards that will reduce vehicle rollover crashes and mitigate deaths and injuries associated with such crashes for motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 10,000 pounds. (b) ROLLOVER PREVENTION.—One of the rule- making proceedings initiated under subsection (a) shall be to establish performance criteria to reduce the occurrence of rollovers consistent with stability enhancing technologies. The Sec- retary shall issue a proposed rule in this pro- ceeding by rule by October 1, 2006, and a final rule by April 1, 2009. (c) OCCUPANT EJECTION PREVENTION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall also initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish performance standards to reduce complete and partial ejections of vehicle occupants from outboard seating positions. In formulating the standards the Secretary shall consider various ejection mitigation systems. The Secretary shall issue a final rule under this paragraph no later than October 1, 2009. (2) DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION.—The Secretary shall complete the rulemaking pro- ceeding initiated to upgrade Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, relating to door locks and door retention, no later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this section. (d) PROTECTION OF OCCUPANTS.—One of the rulemaking proceedings initiated under sub- section (a) shall be to establish performance cri- teria to upgrade Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 216 relating to roof strength for driver and passenger sides. The Secretary may consider industry and independent dynamic tests that realistically duplicate the actual forces transmitted during a rollover crash. The Secretary shall issue a proposed rule by Decem- ber 31, 2005, and a final rule by July 1, 2008. (e) DEADLINES.—If the Secretary determines that the deadline for a final rule under this sec- tion cannot be met, the Secretary shall— (1) notify the Senate Committee on Com- merce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on En- ergy and Commerce and explain why that deadline cannot be met; and (2) establish a new deadline. (Added Pub. L. 109–59, title X, § 10301(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1939.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–59, which was approved Aug. 10, 2005. CODIFICATION Section 10301(a) of Pub. L. 109–59, which directed that this section be added at the end of subchapter II of chapter 301, without specifying the title to be amended, was executed by adding this section at the end of sub- chapter II of this chapter, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. § 30129. Crash avoidance technology (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor- tation shall promulgate a rule— (1) to establish minimum performance stand- ards with respect to crash avoidance tech- nology; and (2) to require that all passenger motor vehi- cles manufactured for sale in the United States on or after the compliance date de- scribed in subsection (b) shall be equipped with— (A) a forward collision warning and auto- matic emergency braking system that— (i) alerts the driver if— (I) the distance to a vehicle ahead or an object in the path of travel ahead is closing too quickly; and (II) a collision is imminent; and (ii) automatically applies the brakes if the driver fails to do so; and