Kaine signs car-seat law for children up to 8: Under Va. law, which takes effect July 1, violators get a $50 fine; age had been 6.

Byline: Michael Hardy

Mar. 21--Children up to age 8 soon will have to be strapped into booster seats in vehicles traveling on Virginia's roads. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has signed into law the assembly-passed measure that raised the age from 6. Under the new law, which takes effect July 1, a motorist will be fined $50 for violations. But a police officer could cite only a violator who had been stopped for another offense. A parent or guardian could obtain an exemption if a physician signs a statement that use of a restraint system for a child would be impractical because of the child's weight, physical fitness or other medical condition.

The …