House Bill 551

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-2-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL PASSENGERS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE TO WEAR A PROPERLY FASTENED SAFETY SEAT BELT SYSTEM WHILE THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN FORWARD MOTION ON A PUBLIC ROAD, STREET OR HIGHWAY WITHIN THIS STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-2-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-2-1. (1) When a passenger motor vehicle is operated * * *~~in forward motion~~ on a public road, street or highway within this state, every operator, every * * *~~front‑seat~~ passenger and every child under seven (7) years of age who is not required to be protected by the use of a child passenger restraint device or system or a belt positioning booster seat system under the provisions of Sections 63-7-301 through 63-7-311, regardless of the seat that the child occupies, shall wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system, required to be installed in the vehicle when manufactured pursuant to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208.

(2) "Passenger motor vehicle" for purposes of this chapter means a motor vehicle designed to carry fifteen (15) or fewer passengers, including the driver, but does not include motorcycles, mopeds, all-terrain vehicles or trailers.

(3) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Vehicles which may be registered for "farm" use, including "implements of husbandry" as defined in Section 63-21-5(d), and "farm tractors" as defined in Section 63-3-105(a);

(b) An operator or passenger possessing a written verification from a licensed physician that he is unable to wear a safety belt system for medical reasons;

(c) A passenger car operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service or by a utility meter reader while on duty; or

(d) Buses.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.