Minnesota’s new car seat law, effective Aug. 1, mandates that children under 2 years old be secured in rear-facing car seats.

This regulation aims to improve safety by aligning with expert recommendations, ensuring better protection during crashes.

Eden Prairie police officer Ryan Kuffel, one of two people in the department certified to conduct car seat checks, supports the updated law.

“Car seats in the rear-facing position save children’s lives because, in the event of a crash, they absorb the inertia or energy that would otherwise affect the child’s neck and spinal cord,” said Kuffel, who also serves as a school resource officer and handles juvenile investigations. “This position protects those critical areas in a crash.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, children must remain rear-facing until at least age 2 or until they outgrow the seat’s height or weight limits. Afterward, they should use forward-facing seats with an internal harness until at least age 4.

Subsequently, a belt-positioning booster seat is required until children are at least 9 years old or meet the criteria for a proper seatbelt fit. It is also recommended that children under 13 sit in the back seat, the safest place during a collision.

While many parents comply with these guidelines, Kuffel noted that some hesitate to keep their children rear-facing longer due to misconceptions about comfort.

“Parents often want to see their children while driving,” she explained. “But we stress the importance of keeping them rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the safest option for young children.”

Kuffel also mentioned common installation mistakes, such as failing to achieve the correct 45-degree angle for rear-facing seats, crucial for neck protection. “Another issue is ensuring the seat is properly secured,” she said, advising against placing items under the seat to maintain a tight fit.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends keeping children rear-facing until the age of 3, if possible.

“It’s recommended to continue using rear-facing seats until children reach the weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer,” Kuffel added.

For instance, if a car seat can accommodate a child rear-facing up to 45 pounds, it is advisable to keep the child in that position until reaching this limit. “The difficulty arises in enforcement; it’s easier for a patrol officer to identify a 2-year-old versus a 1-year-old rather than checking the weight limit of every seat,” she explained.

Kuffel also addressed the updated guidelines for booster seats. Previously, the law required children to use a booster seat until they were 9 years old or 4’9″. Now, once a child reaches age 9 and has outgrown the booster seat, they can stop using it.

“Parents might find this easier to understand, as sometimes a child had to be in a booster seat until they were in fifth or sixth grade to reach 4’9″,” Kuffel said.

However, Kuffel emphasized the importance of the five-step test (see graphic below) associated with the new child seat law to ensure proper seatbelt fit.

She urged parents to make informed decisions about car seat safety, highlighting that while newer car seats often feature advanced safety technologies, many affordable options still offer excellent protection.

The police department offers a free car seat clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Eden Prairie Fire Station No. 1, located at 14800 Scenic Heights Road. No appointments are needed, and attendees should bring their car seat, manual, and child for proper fitting.

“Each car seat check typically takes about 30 minutes,” she said.