Top
Legislative Histories Home LLDL Home Law Library Home Legislature Home Ask a Librarian


For Further Research

Maine statutes
•
Library catalog search
•
News clippings by subject

About Topical
Legislative Histories

 Abbreviations & Terms
Seat Belt Legislation in Maine
Updated through the 130th Legislature

Introduction

In 1965, Maine required passenger vehicles “commencing with the 1966 models” to be equipped with front-seat seat belts. Mandatory seat belt use for passengers was implemented in 1995.

This chart includes a statutory history of 29-A MRS §2081 and proposals to amend it. Statutes related to seat belt requirements for school buses, experimental vehicles, and low-speed vehicles can be found in other sections of the statutes. Please contact a Law Librarian if you need help finding additional statutes.



Session Law / LD:  

Year  LD Amendments Final
Disposition		 Legislative Record
Debate & Remarks
 Other Documents & News Clips Full LD
History
1981 LD 1545

An Act Requiring Motorists to Protect Children in Motor Vehicles by Use of Approved Child Safety Seats		 Enacted with amendment:

H-411		 PL 1981, c. 405 House, May 19, 1981
p. 1207

House, May 22, 1981
p. 1312-1313		 Report:  Healthy Parent, Healthy Child: Report of the Governor's Task Force on Maternal and Child Health (Sep. 1980) 

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1983 LD 910

An Act Requiring Motorists to Protect Children in Motor Vehicles by Use of Approved Child Safety Seats

OTP-ND:
LD 1514

OTP-ND (Not Accepted):
LD 1515		 Proposed amendments:

H-171		 PL 1983, c. 299 House, April 26, 1983
p. 659-661

House, April 29, 1983
p. 683-684

Senate, May 6, 1983
p. 759-760		 Report:  Healthy Parent, Healthy Child: Report of the Governor's Task Force on Maternal and Child Health (Sep. 1980) 

Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1987 LD 877

An Act to Require the Use of Seat Belts for Children 12 Years of Age and Younger		 N/A PL 1987, c. 245 House, May 21, 1987
p. 961-965

Senate, May 28, 1987
p. 1127		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1987 LD 1717

An Act to Make Corrections of Errors and Inconsistencies in the Laws of Maine		 Enacted with amendments:

S-147     S-164
S-152     S-167
S-155     S-168
  
Proposed amendments:

S-154
S-170
S-179		 PL 1987, c. 402 Senate, June 11, 1987
p. 1516

Senate, June 11, 1987
p. 1533		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1989 LD 1333

An Act to Mandate the Use of Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

S-212		 PL 1989, c. 350 Senate, June 6, 1989
p. 1138

House, June 8, 1989
p. 1182-1184

Senate, June 13, 1989
p. 1316-1317		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1990 LD 2186

An Act Relating to Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats for Children under 4 Years of Age		 N/A PL 1989, c. 640 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1991 LD 1058

An Act to Mandate the Use of Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

S-249

Proposed amendment:

S-250		 PL 1991, c. 470 Senate, June 4, 1991
p. S-975-S-980

House, June 6, 1991
p. H-988-H-990		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1991 LD 1600

An Act to Increase the Penalty for Failure to Secure a Child with a Seat Belt		 Enacted with amendment:

H-456		 PL 1991, c. 445 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1991 LD 1954

An Act Correcting Errors and Inconsistencies in the Laws of Maine		 Enacted with amendments:

H-698
H-699
H-708
S-383
S-385

Proposed amendment:

S-373		 PL 1991, c. 548 Senate, June 26, 1991
p. S-1352-S-1353

House, June 28, 1991
p. H-1292		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1993 LD 486

An Act Concerning the Mandatory Use of Car Safety Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

S-88

Proposed amendment:

H-330		 Veto sustained Senate, May 4, 1993
p. S-539-S-541

House, May 10, 1993
p. H-656-H-661

House, May 11, 1993
p. H-702-H-703

House, May 13, 1993
p. H-722-H-725

House, May 17, 1993
p. H-740-H-744

House, May 20, 1993
p. H-808-H-810

Senate, May 20, 1993
p. S-697-S-700

Senate, June 1, 1993
p. S-894-S-895

Senate, June 2, 1993
p. S-924-S-925		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1993 LD 1038

An Act Clarifying Certain Traffic Infraction Provisions of the Motor Vehicle Laws		 Enacted with amendment:

S-131		 PL 1993, c. 224 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1994 LD 841

An Act to Revise and Recodify the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29		 Enacted with amendment:

S-549		 PL 1993, c. 683 Senate, April 5, 1994
p. S-1878		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1994 LD 1675

An Act to Promote Child Safety		 Enacted with amendment:

H-736		 PL 1993, c. 520 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1995 LD 165

An Act to Require All Persons to Use Safety Belts in Motor Vehicles		 Enacted with amendments:

S-91
S-135
H-181

Proposed amendments:

S-92
H-224
 PL 1995, c. 432

Approved at Nov. 7, 1995 referendum

Yes:  208,164
No:   204,928		 Senate, April 27, 1995
p. S-604-S-609

House, May 3, 1995
p. H-505-H-517

House, May 10, 1995
p. H-606-H-609

Senate, May 11, 1995
p. S-740-S-743

House, May 16, 1995
p. H-648-H-651

Senate, May 17, 1995
p. S-785-S-786

House, May 24, 1994
p. H-733-H-736		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1995 LD 231

An Act to Correct Errors and Inconsistencies Related to the Recodification of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29		 Enacted with amendments:

H-79
H-104		 PL 1995, c. 65 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1995 LD 1740

An Act to Exempt Working Rural Mail Carriers from the Seat Belt Law		 Enacted with amendments:

H-747
H-758		 PL 1995, c. 597 House, March 12, 1996
p. H-1688-H-1689

Senate, March 14, 1996
p. S-1882		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1997 LD 367

An Act to Provide That the Operator of a Limousine Is Not Responsible for Securing in a Seat Belt a Passenger Transported for a Fee		 Enacted with amendments:

H-334
S-218
S-343

Proposed amendments:

S-196
S-216		 PL 1997, c. 450 Senate, May 12, 1997
p. S-825-S-827

Senate, May 28, 1997
p. S-1229		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1997 LD 816

An Act to Repeal the Prohibition of the Failure to Use a Seat Belt as Evidence		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1997 LD 1401

An Act to Impose Penalties on Adult Passengers in Motor Vehicles Who Fail to Use Seat Belts		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1997 LD 1480

An Act to Decriminalize Various Traffic Violations and Enhance Collectibility of Associated Penalties		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1998 LD 2109

An Act to Reduce Motor Vehicle Fatalities and Injuries among Young Drivers		 Enacted with amendments:

S-563
H-1017

Proposed
amendments:

S-564
H-990		 PL 1997, c. 737 House, March 24, 1998
p. H-1873-H-1874

House, March 25, 1998
p. H-1899-H-1903		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

Report:  Report of the Task Force on Young Drivers: Findings and Recommendations (Jan. 1998)

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1999 LD 28

An Act to Exempt a Person Running for Public Office from the Mandatory Seat Belt Law		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
1999 LD 495

An Act to Exempt Newspaper Deliverers from the Seat Belt Law		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1999 LD 1226

An Act to Amend the Seat Belt Law Regarding the Enforcement of Penalties		 Proposed amendment:

H-175		 ONTP House, April 13, 1999
p. H-580

House, April 14, 1999
p. H-601-H-604
 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
1999 LD 2002

An Act to Repeal the Mandatory Seat Belt Law if Approved at Referendum		 Proposed amendment:

H-377		 ONTP House, May 11, 1999
p. H-934-H-935

Senate, May 12, 1999
p. S-939-S-940		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2001 LD 858

An Act to Revert the Seat Belt Law to the Form Approved by the Citizens		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2001 LD 1427

An Act to Prohibit Roadblocks for the Purpose of Enforcing the Seat Belt Law for Adults		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2001 LD 1867

An Act to Ensure the Safety of Maine Children While Riding in a Vehicle		 Enacted with amendment:

H-896

Proposed amendment:

H-897		 PL 2001, c. 585 House, March 14, 2002
p. H-1821-H-1825

House, March 25, 2002
p. H-1937-H-1938		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2002 LD 2216

An Act to Correct Recently Enacted Legislation		 Enacted with amendments:

H-1118
S-625		 PL 2001, c. 710 House, April 24, 2002
p. H-2267		 N/A Yes
2003 LD 189

An Act To Amend the Law Governing the Use of Seat Belts		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2003 LD 644

An Act To Assist Low-income Families To Comply with the Booster Seat Law		 Enacted with amendments:

H-161
H-407
S-226

Proposed amendment:

H-519		 PL 2003, c. 380 House, May 19, 2003
p. H-673-H-674

House, May 22, 2003
p. H-741-H-742

House, May 23, 2003
p. H-773-H-775

 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2005 LD 80

An Act To Amend the Law Governing Use of Seat Belts		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2005 LD 468

An Act Making Unified Appropriations...for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2007		 Enacted with amendments:

H-35
S-56

Numerous amendments were proposed		 PL 2005, c. 12 House, March 29, 2005
p. H-308-H-333

Senate, March 30, 2005
p. S-366-S-403		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2007 LD 24

An Act To Make Failure To Wear a Seat Belt a Primary Offense		 Enacted with amendment:

S-35		 PL 2007, c. 60 Senate, March 15, 2007
p. S-289-S-293

House, March 22, 2007
p. H-259-H-265

Senate, April 11, 2007
p. S-453-S-454

House, April 25, 2007
p. H-397-H-400

Senate, April 26, 2007
p. S-516

House, May 3, 2007
p. H-455		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2007 LD 1304

An Act Relative to Motor Vehicles and Floats Operated in Parades		 Proposed amendment:

S-133		 ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2007 LD 1844

An Act Concerning Maine's Highway Safety Laws		 Enacted with amendment:

H-333

Proposed amendment:

H-270		 PL 2007, c. 295 House, May 29, 2007
p. H-604

House, June 1, 2007
p. H-651
 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2009 LD 221

An Act To Modify the Laws Regarding Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

S-9		 PL 2009, c. 34 Senate, March 26, 2009
p. S-296-S-297

House, April 2, 2009
p. H-256

 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2009 LD 263

An Act To Provide Placards to Drivers Who for Medical Reasons Are Not Required To Wear Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

H-11		 PL 2009, c. 436 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2009 LD 356

An Act To Increase the Safety of Automobile Drivers		 Proposed amendment:

S-11		 ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2009 LD 1190

An Act To Amend the Motor Vehicle Laws		 Enacted with amendment:

S-176		 PL 2009, c. 435 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2011 LD 64

An Act To Make a Violation of the Laws Governing Seat Belts a Secondary Offense		 Proposed amendment:

S-4		 ONTP Senate, March 15, 2011
p. S-276-S-279

Senate, March 16, 2011
p. S-296-S-298

Senate, March 17, 2011
p. S-312-S-313

House, March 22, 2011
p. H-206-H-207

House, March 24, 2011
p. H-233		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2011 LD 1621

An Act To Remove a Barrier to Response by Emergency Medical Personnel		 Proposed amendment:

S-386		 ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2013 LD 57

An Act To Exempt Occupants of Antique Autos from Seat Belt Requirements		 Proposed amendment:

S-17		 ONTP Senate, April 2, 2013
p. S-359-S-360

Senate, April 4, 2013
p. S-396-S-397		 Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2015 LD 112

An Act To Eliminate the Requirement That Adults Wear Seat Belts		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.

News Clips:  Please contact a Reference Librarian.		 Yes
2019 LD 157

An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Car Seats		 N/A ONTP No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2019 LD 1269

An Act To Update the Laws Governing Child Safety Seats and Seat Belts		 Enacted with amendment:

S-217		 PL 2019, c. 299, §2 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2020 LD 1900

An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Motor Vehicle Child Restraint Systems To Allow Certain Exceptions		 Enacted with amendment:

S-382		 PL 2019, c. 577 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes
2021 LD 1730

An Act To Correct Inconsistencies, Conflicts and Errors in the Laws of Maine		 Enacted with amendment:

H-646		 PL 2021, c. 293, §B-5 No debate. Committee File:  Please contact a Reference Librarian. Yes