On March 1, 2011 the Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill that would require all children ages 8 and younger to be restrained in a booster seat while riding in a Georgia motor vehicle.  Currently, Georgia law requires that children ages 4 and under be secured in a car seat.  In a vote of 129 in favor and 43 against, the House passed the bill sending it to the  Georgia Senate to be voted on.

The bill would impose a $50 fine on drivers for a first offense and a $100 fine on drivers for a subsequent offense.

Law makers on both sides of the aisle are passionate about their positions on this bill.  Those in favor of the bill believe that it will prevent injuries to children, that it will save young lives, and that it may save money.  Those who are against the bill claim that it is an unnecessary intrusion by the state, and that parents should make their own decisions about whether older children should be in booster seats. Some argue that the state law should be based on weight and/or height rather than age, in order to provide real protection against Georgia car accident injuries.

While the House has already passed this bill, it must also be passed by the Senate and signed into law before booster seats will become mandatory for older children in Georgia.