OTTUMWA, IOWA -- On Tuesday, KTVO spoke with State Representative Mary Gaskill (D-Ottumwa) about Senate File 2381.

The new law will require all persons under the age of 18 to use a seat belt, unless all seat belts are already being used.

"One of our biggest issues is our concern for young drivers, and the safety of the passengers with those young drivers. So this will help...part of that law is that anybody who is 14 years or older can be ticketed instead of the driver. So I believe the law enforcement person has that option," Representative Gaskill said.

She is hopeful that it will save more lives.

"You hear about accidents with families. And we've had several of those, as I can recall, over the last couple of years: when there is two or three children who are killed in automobile accidents. So whether they were restrained, I don't know, but it is so sad," Representative Gaskill said.

She added that the law stems from the transportation budget, as it was included in the bill.

You can find more information about the new Iowa laws taking effect July 1st on the website for the Iowa House of Representatives.