Topeka ? The Kansas House has rejected efforts to strengthen the state’s seat belt law.

The House on Friday voted 63-58 against a bill allowing police to stop a vehicle if front-seat passengers aren’t wearing seat belts.

Currently, police can’t ticket someone for not wearing a seat belt unless they are stopped for another violation such as speeding.

The bill requires all passengers to wear a seat belt. However, officers couldn’t issue a citation to passengers in the back seat for not wearing safety belts, unless another citation were being issued.

Supporters of the bill say it’s a safety issue. Opponents said people ought to be allowed to decide for themselves whether to wear a seat belt.