The state of Michigan recently announced incoming changes to their child passenger safety laws to better align with federal standards and advanced manufacturer guidelines.

Here are the changes that will go into effect on Wednesday, Apr. 2:

• CHILDREN AGES INFANT TO 2 YEARS: Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old or outgrow the rear-facing height and weight limit of their car seat, whichever comes first.
• CHILDREN AGES 2 TO 5 YEARS: Children must use a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they are at least 5 years old, unless they exceed the car seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit.
• CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 8 YEARS: Children must use a belt-positioning booster seat, secured with a lap and shoulder belt, until they are at least 8 years old or reach 4 feet 9 inches tall, whichever comes first. 
• ALL CHILDREN AGES 4 AND UNDER: If all rear seats are occupied by other children under 4 years old, a child under 4 may ride in the front seat with a car seat. All rear-facing car seats placed in the front must have the airbag deactivated. 
• ALL CHILDREN AGES 13 AND UNDER: All children under 13 must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle, unless the vehicle does not have rear seating, or all rear seating is occupied by other children under 13.

For more information, visit https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/child-passenger-safety.