---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 32304B"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "32304B"
heading: "Child safety"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/32304B"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part C — Information, Standards, and Requirements"
  - "Chapter 323 — Consumer Information"
---

# §32304B. Child safety

- (a) **Definitions.—** In this section:
  - (1) **Passenger motor vehicle.—** The term “[passenger motor vehicle](/usc/49/32101.md?p=10)” has the meaning given that term in section 32101.
  - (2) **Rear-designated seating position.—** The term “rear-designated seating position” means designated seating positions that are rearward of the front seat.
  - (3) **Secretary.—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.
- (b) **Rulemaking.—** Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a final rule requiring all new [passenger motor vehicles](/usc/49/32101.md?p=10) weighing less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to be equipped with a system to alert the [operator](/usc/49/30501.md?p=6) to check rear-designated seating positions after the vehicle engine or motor is deactivated by the [operator](/usc/49/30501.md?p=6).
- (c) **Means.—** The alert required under [subsection (b)](#b)—
  - (1) shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert; and
  - (2) shall be activated when the vehicle motor is deactivated by the [operator](/usc/49/30501.md?p=6).
- (d) **Phase-in.—** The rule issued pursuant to [subsection (b)](#b) shall require full compliance with the rule beginning on September 1st of the first calendar year that begins 2 years after the date on which the final rule is issued.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title IV, § 24222(a)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 835.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved Nov. 15, 2021.