DENVER — A bill in the Colorado General Assembly would require school buses purchased statewide after June 30, 2010, to be equipped with lap-shoulder seat belts.

The legislation would expand the requirement after June 30, 2014, to cover school buses purchased after June 30, 2004.

The bill specifies that students, with the exception of those who have a disability and a physician certifies that a safety belt is inappropriate for him or her, would be required to wear the belts while a bus is in operation, and bus drivers would have to make an effort to ensure that the belts are being used.

Moreover, the state's Department of Education would be responsible for enforcing the law and inspecting the buses for compliance.

Individuals who operate school buses without the belts or authorize the operation of such vehicles would face a Class A traffic infraction.