1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act of 2017 or the HOT CARS Act of 2017 . 2. Child safety (a) Amendment (1) In general Chapter 323 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 32304A the following: 32304B. Child safety (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Passenger motor vehicle The term passenger motor vehicle has the meaning given that term in section 32101. (2) Rear designated seating position The term rear designated seating position means designated seating positions that are rearward of the front seat. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (b) Rulemaking Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the HOT CARS Act of 2017 , the Secretary shall issue a final rule requiring all new passenger motor vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to be equipped with a system to alert the operator to check rear designated seating positions after the vehicle engine or motor is deactivated by the operator. (c) Means The alert required under subsection (b)— (1) shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert