Bill would require lap-shoulder belts on school buses

BOSTON — School buses statewide would be required to be outfitted with lap-shoulder seat belts under a bill currently awaiting recommendation to go before the House for a vote.

Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) filed the bill 18 months ago. It was killed in the Transportation Committee in 2008, but was recommended for adoption by the Public Safety Committee this year, the Telegram & Gazette reports.

Despite that progress, few lawmakers have heard about the legislation, and there is little momentum to pass it, according to the news source.

The bill is competing with many others, and there are only several days left for formal sessions in this legislative term.

McGee told the Telegram & Gazette that he would “love to see” the legislation move forward. He noted that part of the bill aims to make the installation of seat belts in school buses economical by requiring discounts on insurance premiums for school buses when belts are installed.