Today, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 4092A, a bill aimed at strengthening consumer protections by creating a legal pathway for families who purchase car seats that do not meet national safety standards and holds online retailers and marketplaces accountable. While the bill is a crucial step forward, it also highlights the urgent need to close a dangerous legal loophole that currently allows unsafe and untested products into the hands of Oregon families.
“The safety of our kids is non-negotiable. Every parent should and must trust the car seat they buy for their child.” said Rep. Hai Pham (D-South Hillsboro & West Beaverton). This is about safeguarding our kids on the road, we can’t compromise when a child’s life is on the line.”
Car seats are designed to protect children and are life-saving when they meet rigorous federal safety standards. However, products that have not been tested or certified to U.S. standards remain available in Oregon’s marketplace, creating the risk that parents will unknowingly purchase car seats that fail to protect children.
“Our families are facing a budgetary crisis, and having unaccredited carseats on the market puts our children at risk everyday,” said Rep. Mari Watanabe (D-Cedar Mill, Bethany, and North Beaverton). “This bill protects our next generation of children, and provides parents with the assurance they are providing their kids with the safest devices on the market.”
Families who inadvertently purchase non-compliant car seats often learn too late that the product cannot legally or safely be used and must purchase a second, compliant seat – doubling their financial burden. For working families already managing tight budgets, this creates unnecessary hardship as an average car seat can cost $250 and can be as high as $1,000.
HB 4092 seeks to close this loophole and creates a pathway for families to seek justice when they have been harmed.
The bill now moves to the Oregon Senate for further consideration.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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