Bills › 91st General Assembly
Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by Rep. Travis M. Sitzmann (R)
Topics:Transportation
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 27, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2026
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Everyone in a moving vehicle who is old enough must now wear a safety belt or harness, including people sitting in the back seats. This change also removes an exception that allowed children in the back seat to go without a restraint if no seat belts were available. People who break these rules may face fines of $70 or $135.1
Read the official explanation
445 (safety belts and safety harnesses) requires drivers and front seat occupants of motor vehicles who are years of age or older to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt or safety harness any time the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway. This bill applies the requirement to all passengers of the vehicle who are years of age or older.445.446 (child restraint devices) requires children under years of age to be secured during transit by a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness. 446 that exempts children occupying the back seat of a motor vehicle from having to be secured during transit by a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness if no safety belt is available because all safety belts are being used by other occupants or cannot be used due to the use of a child restraint system in the seating position for which a belt is provided.446.445 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $70.446 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $135.555.
House subcommittee
Named January 28, 2026. On February 10, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 10, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
5 for · 0 against · 2 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in 2 earlier General Assemblies. None got through a chamber.
- SF 28 Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and…90th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2003 Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and…88th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2077 Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- HF 461 Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and…88th General Assembly · In committee · same titleCleared committee
- SF 2012 Requiring the use of safety belts or safety harnesses by passengers of motor vehicles, and…88th General Assembly · Subcommittee recommends passage · same titleCleared committee
Matched by wording or an identical title.