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Middle schoolers may be strapped into car booster seats under new Washington state law

Children as old as 12, and even 13, may find themselves back in car booster seats under new legislation signed into law by Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee.

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The new law updates children's car seat regulations, requiring all children under 4 feet, 9 inches tall to ride in car booster seats.

According to House Bill 1012, children are required to sit in booster seats in vehicles "until the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly, typically when the child is between the ages of eight and twelve years of age, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, or must be properly secured with the motor vehicle's safety belt properly adjusted and fastened around the child's body."

The new law also requires all children under 13 to ride in the back seat and requires children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats.

"Children aged 2 to 4 can be forward-facing in a car seat until they reach the specifications for a booster seat," according to the new law.

People in violation of the law can be ticketed.

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