Every story has a beginning – and ours started with a crash.
This timeline highlights the real events that inspired Francie & Fitz Booster Buddies, from Georgia's booster seat laws to the Hands-Free Law—each step helping families keep children safer on every ride.
July 1, 2002
The Crash That Changed Everything
Madison, just five years old, safely buckled in a booster seat survives a violent crash. That moment sparked a mission.
January, 2003
Fighting for Change Under the Gold Dome
After months of conversations and preparation, House Bill 217—later known as Madison’s Booster Seat Law—is officially dropped in the hopper at the Georgia State Capitol. It marks the start of a determined push to protect children on Georgia’s roads.
July 1, 2004
A Law with a Name
Madison’s Booster Seat Law goes into effect—ensuring children under the age of 6 are riding in a booster seat.
July 1, 2011
Strengthening Madison's Booster Seat Law
Madison's Booster Seat Law strengthen requiring all children under the age of 8 to ride in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for the age, weight and height.
July 1, 2018
Georgia’s Hands-Free Law Goes into Effect
After passionate advocacy from families and safety experts Georgia enacts the Georgia Hands–Free law to reduce distracted driving. This critical step helped make roads safer for everyone, especially our most precious passengers.
February 2023
The Book is Born
The idea for Francie & Fitz Booster Buddies takes shape—a heartfelt story created to reach families early, spark meaningful conversations and help children understand not just what to do but why it matters.
April 2025
Francie & Fitz Booster Buddies is Published
What began as a personal story becomes a mission. Francie & Fitz Booster Buddies is published—created to teach kids the why behind riding safely. With every page, we move forward with one mission: to save lives, prevent injuries, and make safety a habit from the start.
June 2025
The journey continues—because every child deserves a safe ride.
Francie & Fitz is just getting started—partnering with families, schools, organizations, and corporations to spark meaningful conversations, prevent injuries, and protect our most precious cargo by helping kids understand why safety matters.
Reader Reviews
Francie & Fitz Helps Kids Learn About Booster Seat Safety
I had no idea how confusing car seat laws could be until I read Francie & Fitz – Booster Buddies. It made everything simple and actually fun to learn. Every new parent should have this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kara H.
Parent
Francie & Fitz had my kids giggling and thinking! As a parent and teacher, I love a story that entertains and teaches. This book makes safety feel like an adventure. Every classroom and family needs this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah A.
Teacher
Jenny Harty is an exceptional advocate for child passenger safety. From Madison’s Booster Seat Law to this beautifully written book, Georgia’s roads—and our children—are safer because of her commitment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mike P.
Board Chairman, former CEO of LeasePlan USA, Executive Leadership Coach