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S 1662

An Act requiring seat belts on school buses

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico

Massachusetts would require seat belts on all school buses, enhancing student safety but imposing significant retrofit costs on school districts and creating enforcement challenges.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 1662

Legislative bill overview

S 1662 would mandate the installation and use of seat belts on all school buses in Massachusetts. The bill requires compliance with federal safety standards and establishes requirements for both vehicle equipment and passenger usage.

Why is this important

School buses transport approximately 480,000 students daily in Massachusetts. Currently, federal law does not require seat belts on full-size school buses, despite the vehicles carrying the most vulnerable populations. This bill addresses a significant safety gap by requiring restraint systems similar to those in other passenger vehicles.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden: School districts would face substantial retrofit costs for existing buses and increased expenses for new purchases, potentially straining already tight transportation budgets
  • Enforcement challenges: Requiring students to wear seat belts raises practical questions about age-appropriate compliance, driver enforcement authority, and liability if students refuse
  • Design trade-offs: Added interior restraint systems could reduce seating capacity, require bus fleet expansion, or compromise the current design that relies on compartmentalization and seat padding for protection

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

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