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SD 2671

An Act promoting passenger safety on motorcoaches

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford

Requires motorcoach operators to include a seatbelt clause in tickets and to give a pre-departure seatbelt announcement to riders.

Referred to the committee on Transportation
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Bill Summary · SD 2671

Summary: Senate Bill SD 2671 — An Act promoting passenger safety on motorcoaches

Overview

  • Bill number: SD 2671 (Senate Docket No. 2671)
  • Title: An Act promoting passenger safety on motorcoaches
  • Purpose: To enhance safety for passengers on motorcoaches by defining motorcoaches within state law, ensuring seatbelt use, requiring driver announcements, and launching a public information campaign.
  • Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation. Legislative actions show Rules suspension on 2025-04-10 and referral to Transportation on 2025-04-10.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (initially filed February 13, 2025)

What the bill does (Key provisions)

1) Define motorcoach

  • Amends Chapter 90, Section 1 by adding a new definition:
    • “Motorcoach” means a bus with an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment, used for-hire between fixed and regular termini or under a charter license.
    • Excludes city buses operated by a public transit system and school buses.

2) Clarify regulatory scope

  • Amends Section 13A of Chapter 90 to insert the term “motorcoach” after “vanpool vehicle,” clarifying that motorcoaches are within the scope of related regulatory provisions.
  • Adds the phrase “standard city” before “buses,” aligning terminology among different bus classifications.

3) Seatbelt requirement in ticket agreements and announcements

  • Adds a new paragraph requiring motorcoach operators to:
    • Include in every ticket purchase agreement a provision stating that the passenger agrees to wear a seatbelt when seated while the motorcoach is in motion.
    • Require drivers to make an in-service announcement before departure instructing passengers to wear seatbelts when seated during motion.

4) Public information campaign

  • Requires the Department of Public Utilities to conduct a public information campaign about:
    • The importance of wearing a seatbelt on motorcoaches (as defined by Chapter 90).
    • The safety risks of not wearing a seatbelt on a motorcoach.

Who is affected

  • Motorcoach operators and service providers (for-hire or charter) operating in Massachusetts.
  • Passengers riding motorcoaches (education on seatbelt use and awareness).
  • Department of Public Utilities (implementation of the information campaign).

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Filed: February 13, 2025
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Rules suspension: April 10, 2025
  • Referred to Committee: Transportation (April 10, 2025)
  • Status: Pending action in the Transportation Committee; no enacted provisions yet.

Potential implications

  • Operational impact on motorcoach operators, who would need to add seatbelt language to ticket agreements and provide pre-departure seatbelt announcements.
  • Increased emphasis on passenger safety and seatbelt compliance for motorcoaches, distinct from city buses and school buses.
  • A state-led information campaign could raise public awareness about motorcoach safety and seatbelt usage.

Note: The bill does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms for noncompliance; these details, if added in later amendments, would shape potential compliance costs and penalties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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