a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat belt webbing connected to a latch plate , wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a buckle assembly in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant . the buckle assembly includes a release button , a blocking component , a solenoid coupled to a connecting member positioned to engage the blocking component , and a solenoid actuator electrically connected to the solenoid . the blocking component is configured to engage the latch plate in order to connect the latch plate to the buckle assembly , and is configured to disengage from the latch plate in order to facilitate the release of the latch plate when the release button is depressed . when the solenoid actuator actuates the solenoid , the connecting member is configured to move to thereby change the position of the blocking component in order disengage the blocking component from the latch plate .