COLUMBUS, Ohio — State legislators are considering a proposal to require lap-shoulder belts on Ohio school buses.
Under Rep. Kathleen Chandler’s bill, the mandate would apply to new school buses beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
Seat belt bill eyed in Ohio
Beginning in 2014, new school buses would have to be equipped with lap-shoulder belts. Operators would not be held liable if passengers don’t buckle up.
May 18, 2010
A proposal in Ohio would require new school buses to be equipped with lap-shoulder belts, beginning in 2014.
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Existing school buses wouldn’t have to be retrofitted unless they are sold, leased or rented on or after that date.
The bill would require school bus operators to adopt a disciplinary policy for any passengers who don’t wear their seat belts. But the operators wouldn’t have to ensure that passengers buckle up, and they wouldn’t be held liable for those who don’t.
Chandler is scheduled to present testimony on the bill to other representatives in the Ohio House on Wednesday.
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