Section 405(b) occupant protection grant (23 C.F.R. & 1300.21; 23 U.S.C. & 405(b)) - grant to support certain costs of state occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. & 1300.21(f)

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (MN DPS) Fiscal and Administrative Services Division was awarded a $396,563.86 federal Formula Grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the State and Community Highway Safety (CFDA 20.600) program. The grant funding will support costs associated with the state's occupant protection programs consistent with 23 C.F.R. § 1300.21(f). As the agency responsible for public safety, criminal justice, and emergency management services across Minnesota, MN DPS will use the funds to implement statewide traffic safety initiatives and coordinate with local partners on education, enforcement, and community-based interventions to help reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes. The grant award has a performance period from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027.

Section 405(b) funding is available to qualifying states that meet statutory requirements for a high or low seat belt use categories. These funds are apportioned using statutory apportionment formula. These funds are provided to the state and territorial highway safety offices based on an approved triennial highway safety plan that details problem identification, public participation and engagement, performance measures, countermeasure strategies for programming funds and an approved annual grant application that details planned projects using identified countermeasure strategies for programming funds to help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle crashes.