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S 2812

Brake for Kids Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Gary Peters and 1 co-sponsor

Summary of S 2812: Brake for Kids Act of 2025 OverviewThe Brake for Kids Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that aims to improve safety for children around school

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · S 2812

Summary of S 2812: Brake for Kids Act of 2025

Overview

The Brake for Kids Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that aims to improve safety for children around school buses by requiring the installation of new brake systems. The bill's primary goal is to reduce the risk of children being struck by school buses when crossing the road to board or exit the vehicle.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory Brake Systems: The bill would require all new school buses purchased after January 1, 2027 to be equipped with an advanced brake system that automatically engages when a bus's stop arm is deployed.
  • Brake System Requirements: The required brake system must be able to bring a fully loaded school bus to a complete stop within 30 feet when traveling at 20 mph. This is a significant improvement over current federal safety standards.
  • Retrofit Deadline: School districts would have until January 1, 2030 to retrofit existing school buses with the new brake systems. Failure to comply would result in the loss of federal school transportation funding.
  • Funding Assistance: The bill allocates $500 million in federal grants to help school districts cover the costs of purchasing new buses or retrofitting existing ones with the required brake technology.

Impact

The Brake for Kids Act is expected to have the following impacts:

  • Improved Child Safety: Advocates estimate the new brake systems could prevent hundreds of child pedestrian injuries and fatalities around school buses each year.
  • Financial Burden on School Districts: While the federal grants will help, school districts will still need to cover significant costs to comply with the new requirements, potentially straining already tight budgets.
  • Technological Challenges: Some school districts may face difficulties finding approved brake systems that meet the bill's technical specifications and integrating them into existing bus fleets.

Conclusion

The Brake for Kids Act is a legislative effort to enhance school bus safety and protect children from being struck when boarding or exiting the vehicle. If passed, the bill would mandate new brake technology and provide funding assistance, though it may also create financial and logistical challenges for school districts across the country.

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

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