Changes to Minnesota’s Child Passenger Safety Law Go Into Effect Aug. 1

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says families and caregivers should prepare now for changes in State Law that go into effect August 1st.

Law now specifies ages for child safety seats and increases booster seat use from 8 to 9 years old. Prior to the changes, state law required car seats to be used according to manufacturer’s instructions on height and weight. Every driver who transports children under age 18 will be required to have them restrained in a child safety seat or with a seat belt.

The new law mirrors the American Academy of Pediatrics child seat recommendations.

Crashes are a leading cause of injury and death among children. The DPS says that 89 percent of properly restrained children who were involved in Minnesota traffic crashes between 2019 and 2023 suffered no apparent injury.