Bill Would Put Children Under 13 in the Back Seat

BOSTON — A bill moving its way through the state Senate would ban children under the age of 13 from riding in the front seat of cars in most situations.

The change would align with recommendations of the American Academy of pediatrics and AAA, which both call for children ages 12 and under to ride in the back seat.

The measure (S2520) states that a child under 13 cannot sit in the front seat unless the vehicle lacks a back seat or “the rear passenger seat of the motor vehicle is occupied by other passengers under the age of 13.”

The bill would need to pass both the House and the Senate by the Jan. 3 end of the 2015-16 legislative session to land on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk. Both chambers plan to meet today.