Pennsylvania Act 2024-61 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ABROGATING REGULATIONS

Act text

Session of 2024

No. 2024-61

SB 298

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in equipment standards, further providing for unlawful activities; in other required equipment, further providing for restraint systems; and abrogating regulations.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 4107(a)(1) and (b) introductory paragraph of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

§ 4107. Unlawful activities.

(a) Violation of vehicle equipment standards.--

(1) [It] Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, lease, install or replace, either separately or as part of the equipment of a vehicle, any item of vehicle equipment affecting the operation of the vehicle which does not comply with this title or regulations promulgated thereunder, or which does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard adopted by regulation by the department.

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(b) Other violations.--[It] Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:

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(b.2) Vehicle doors.--

(1) If a vehicle is registered under section 1301 (relating to registration and certificate of title required) and equipped from the original manufacturer with manufacturer-designed and manufacturer-installed removable doors with the intention to allow removal and reinstallation by the vehicle owner, that vehicle may be operated on the roadways of this Commonwealth with the manufacturer-designed and manufacturer-installed doors removed or equipped with nonoriginal equipment manufacturer doors. When the manufacturer-designed and manufacturer-installed doors are removed, the vehicle shall have side mirrors, including the original manufacturer side mirrors, or installed side mirrors attached by the vehicle owner. This subsection shall not limit or otherwise impact section 4534 (relating to rearview mirrors) or 4581 (relating to restraint systems). To comply with section 4702 (relating to requirement for periodic inspection of vehicles), a vehicle under this subsection shall be inspected with the manufacturer-designed and manufacturer-installed doors attached.

(2) As used in this subsection, the term "nonoriginal equipment manufacturer door" shall mean a vehicle door that is not originally equipped by the manufacturer, including a tube door, half door or net door.

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Section 2. Section 4581(a)(2)(ii) of Title 75 is amended to read:

§ 4581. Restraint systems.

(a) Occupant protection.--

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(2) * * *

(ii) Except for children under 18 years of age and except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (1.1) and subparagraph (i)[, each] :

(A) Each driver and front seat occupant of a passenger car, Class I truck, Class II truck, classic motor vehicle, antique motor vehicle or motor home operated in this Commonwealth shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.

(B) Each driver, front seat occupant and back seat occupant of a vehicle operated as provided under section 4107(b.2) (relating to unlawful activities) in this Commonwealth shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.

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Section 3. Any regulations or parts of regulations that are inconsistent with this act are abrogated to the extent of the inconsistency.

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 15th day of July, A.D. 2024.

JOSH SHAPIRO