Under a Senate-approved plan passed on Tuesday, booster seats would be required in cars for children through age 7 or four-feet-nine-inches tall, whichever comes first. The current law targets children up to the age of 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds. 

Even children who have outgrown child car seats can be too small to use regularly installed restraints, making seatbelts a liability rather than a protective device. The legislation provides extended protection for children and brings Massachusetts in line with 38 other states that have passed similar laws, explained Senator Brian A. Joyce. 

Motor vehicle accidents are the top killer of children between ages 4 and 8. Children in booster seats are 58 percent less likely to be killed in a car crash than those in seat belts. 

Highlighting the importance of booster seats, the federal government is providing $25 million over the next four years to states that adopt booster seat laws. Last year, Maine and Vermont received approximately $170,000 each. Massachusetts could potentially net up to $750,000. 

The legislation also states that those children under 12 who are not required to use a booster seat must use a seat belt. 

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives.