Knowledge Base

Minnesota's state law on child passenger safety was modified and went into effect August 1, 2024. Children are now required by law to be rear-facing until at least two years old. If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category, which is rear-facing).

Parents often have questions about the proper use and installation of car seats. Children or pregnant individuals may qualify for a free car seat if they have Blue Plus or UCare through state health insurance. Parents often question whether their new or unused car seat is installed properly.

Who is eligible?

All families in Olmsted County with children from newborn through 12 years old may be eligible for a car seat if they have Blue Plus or UCare through state health insurance. All families in Olmsted County qualify for a no cost car seat check.

Car seat distribution through Blue Plus or Ucare

• You need a new car seat. You are pregnant and don’t have one yet, or your child needs to move to a different seat. You may qualify for a free seat through your health insurance. Please use the contact info below, and we can check.
• These are the car seats we can distribute:
  • Cosco Scenera Next rear-facing convertible.
  • Cosco Finale 2 in 1 combination.
  • Backless booster.
  • We do not distribute infant-only seats.
• Car seat distribution appointments take 60-90 minutes. The car manual is nice to have for this appointment if available.

How to make an appointment for a car seat distribution.

By phone: Call 507-328-7121 

Email: PHcarseatservices@olmstedcounty.gov

Gather your information

Before we can help, we will need to know:

• Names of the child or children (with correct spelling) receiving a car seat or, if you are pregnant, your name and due date.
• The birth date of whoever will be receiving the car seat.
• *For car seat distribution -The health insurance information for whoever the car seat is for. We only accept UCare or Blue Plus for car seat distribution.
• Current email and phone number.

How to make an appointment for a car seat check.

• Car seat check.
  • You have a new seat and want to ensure it is installed correctly. We are unable to help install used car seats.
• Car seat check appointments take about 60 minutes. The car seat manual and the car manual are beneficial at the time of the car seat check.

By phone: Call 507-328-7121

Email: PHcarseatservices@olmstedcounty.gov