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SEARCHSchool Bus Fleet covered several legislative items of interest this year, from seat belts to illegal school bus passing.
A tragic accident sparked new attention to the ongoing debate about seat belts on school buses.
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From seat belts to special-needs transportation resources, legislation at the state and federal levels garnered a lot of attention during the past year.
We’re highlighting five stories about laws related to pupil transportation that clicked with School Bus Fleet readers:
Two U.S. senators - Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois - put forward the School Bus Safety Act, which would include federal requirements for seat belts on school buses.
The proposed legislation was sparked by the death of an 11-year-old Ohio boy in August who was ejected from a school bus during a rollover crash after colliding with a Honda Odyssey.
It calls for:
A 3-point safety belt, including a seat belt across the lap and a shoulder harness to restrain passengers in case of collision.
An automatic emergency braking system, designed to prevent accidents and crashes by detecting objects or vehicles ahead of the bus.
An event data recorder (EDR) that can capture pre- and post-crash data, driver inputs, and restraint usage.
An electronic stability control (ESC) system that uses automatic computer-controlled braking of individual wheels to help the driver remain in control of the vehicle.
A fire suppression system.
A firewall to prevent hazardous quantities of gas or flame from passing from the engine to the passenger compartment.
The bill was introduced in September, but the Senate has yet to take any further action.
The journey of school bus seat belt regulations has involved a complex interplay of safety data, public perception, cost implications, and policy decisions.
This Editor’s Note details the history and the status of seat belt requirements on school buses in the United States.
Gavin Newsom wants all newly purchased or contracted school buses to be zero-emission vehicles, with potential extensions for districts meeting certain conditions.
In October, the California governor signed into law Assembly Bill 579, saying: “Signing this bill demonstrates our state’s commitment to maintaining a healthy environment for our children through improved air quality. California is steadfast in supporting a smooth and successful transition to zero-emissions vehicles, including school buses.”
Inspired by the efforts of the late Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana, new legislation has been introduced in Congress to battle illegal school bus passing.
The legislation would establish a program to monitor and gather data on incidents of illegal school bus passing, create a messaging campaign, develop training materials, and model legislation to reduce these increasing incidents, which can happen an estimated 41.8 million times during a 180-day school year.
“Illegal passing continues to occur across the country at an alarming rate and the Jackie Walorski END Illegal Passing Act represents a vital component in the quest to curb this epidemic,” said Carina Noble, who was then president of the National School Transportation Association (NSTA).
Introduced in June, but no further action taken at this time.
New Jersey Senate considered a law allocating resources to private school students with special-transportation needs.
The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Robert Singer, was designed to help nonpublic school students receive reliable busing services. The law passed on third reading.
The fiscal estimate indicates that the legislation “will result in an indeterminate increase in State costs associated with the creation of consortiums for nonpublic school transportation. The magnitude of the cost increase would depend on the number of consortiums created and the cost per pupil of providing transportation for each consortium.”
The state’s Office of Legislative Services estimated a ballpark cost of $12.1 million in fiscal year 2024.
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
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The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
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Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
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A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
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From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
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Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
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Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
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A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
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Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
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The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.
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