What does Preamble of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue rules requiring the inclusion of new safety equipment in school buses. The bill includes provisions for other purposes, though these are not specified in this section.

What does SHORT TITLE. of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the School Bus Safety Act of 2025.

What does DEFINITIONS. of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “3-point safety belt” is defined as “Type 2 seat belt assembly” according to 49 C.F.R. § 571.209. “Automatic emergency braking system” refers to a system with forward collision warning and crash-imminent braking functions. “Event data recorder” is defined as in 49 C.F.R. § 563.5(b). “School bus” has the meaning defined in 49 U.S.C. § 30125(a). “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Transportation.

What does SCHOOL BUS SAFETY. of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section mandates the Secretary to issue rules requiring school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds to be equipped with 3-point safety belts. The Secretary must also issue rules requiring school buses to be equipped with fire suppression systems addressing engine fires. The section requires rules to ensure that no hazardous quantity of gas or flame can pass through the firewall from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment. Interior flammability and smoke emissions characteristics for school buses must meet or exceed standards applicable to transport category airplanes, passenger cars, and locomotive cabs. School buses are required to be equipped with an automatic emergency braking system, an event data recorder, and an electronic stability control system. Operators of school buses must receive at least 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction on public roads with a trained instructor. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration must finalize a rule regarding the evaluation of safety-sensitive personnel for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The standards outlined in subsections (a) and (c) apply to school buses manufactured or imported into the United States one year after the Secretary issues the required rules.

What does STUDIES. of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section mandates two studies by the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The first study concerns the benefits of requiring motion-activated detection systems on school buses to detect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. This study must be completed within two years of the Act's enactment. Following the first study, NHTSA must issue rules requiring these detection systems within one year. The second study examines the benefits of requiring systems to alert school bus operators if passengers are not wearing safety belts. This second study also must be completed within two years of the Act's enactment.

What does SAFETY GRANT PROGRAM. of School Bus Safety Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of Transportation. The program provides grants to states for subgrants to local educational agencies. Funds can be used to purchase new school buses with 3-point safety belts or other safety features described in sections 3 or 4. Funds can also be used to modify existing school buses to include 3-point safety belts or other safety features described in sections 3 or 4. The program must be established within one year of the Act's enactment.

Back to bills

School Bus Safety Act of 2025

Last updated: 3/4/2025 · Introduced: 3/4/2025

Author: Steve Cohen (D-TN)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill requires school buses over 10,000 pounds to be equipped with 3-point safety belts, fire suppression systems, and automatic emergency braking systems, among other safety features.
The bill establishes a grant program to help states and local agencies purchase or modify school buses with enhanced safety equipment, including safety belts and detection systems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must conduct studies on the benefits of motion-activated detection systems for pedestrians and systems to alert operators about unbelted passengers, potentially leading to new safety rules.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

6 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account