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Bill

SB 546

Relating to seat belts on buses that transport children.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by César Blanco and 4 co-sponsors

Texas law now requires school buses transporting children to install and use seat belts, effective Sept. 1, 2025, enhancing passenger safety but raising implementation costs for districts.

Effective on 9/1/25
#educationagency #texas(v9941) #education--schooldistricts(i0220) #minors--health&safety(i0533) #schoolbuses&schoolbusdrivers(s1346) #seatbelts(s3021) #vehicles&traffic--equipment(i0855) #vehicles&traffic--general(i0865)
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Bill Summary · SB 546

Legislative bill overview

SB 546 requires school buses and other buses transporting children in Texas to be equipped with seat belts and mandates their use by passengers. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving bipartisan support and gubernatorial approval.

Why is this important

School bus safety directly affects millions of Texas children daily. While school buses have strong frames and yellow paint visibility standards, seat belts can reduce injury severity in crashes. This legislation addresses a gap in federal safety regulations, which currently don't mandate seat belts on full-size school buses, though they do for other passenger vehicles.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: School districts must retrofit existing buses with seat belt systems, creating significant budget pressures for already-stretched transportation departments
  • Feasibility concerns: Installing and maintaining seat belts on buses with frequent passenger turnover raises practical questions about durability and proper usage enforcement
  • Competing safety priorities: Some transportation experts emphasize that bus design features (compartmentalization, high seating backs) provide substantial protection, and question whether seat belt resources could be better allocated elsewhere in safety initiatives

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

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