S. 828: School Bus Safety Act of 2025

The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of school buses through several key provisions. The bill instructs the Secretary of Transportation to implement new safety equipment requirements for school buses, ensuring that certain safety measures are integrated into their design and operation.

Key Provisions

• Seat Belt Requirement: School buses with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds must be equipped with a 3-point safety belt for every designated seating position. This requirement must be finalized within one year of the bill's enactment.
• Fire Protection Standards: The Secretary is mandated to establish rules requiring school buses to have:
  • Fire Suppression Systems: Systems to manage and mitigate engine fires.
  • Firewalls: Enhanced firewalls in buses with engines extending beyond the firewall to prevent the spread of gas or flames to the passenger area.
  • Interior Flammability Standards: These standards for interior materials must be as strict as those for aircraft or certain other vehicles to reduce fire risk and smoke emission.
• Other Safety Equipment: Within one year, the Secretary must require:
  • An automatic emergency braking system to prevent collisions.
  • An event data recorder for tracking bus operations and incidents.
  • An electronic stability control system to enhance vehicle handling and safety.
• Driver Training: The Secretary must amend training requirements to include a minimum of eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction for school bus operators, conducted on public roads with a certified instructor.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Regulations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is required to finalize rules concerning screening and managing obstructive sleep apnea for drivers of school buses.

Studies and Future Regulations

The bill also calls for two studies to be conducted within two years of enactment:

• Motion-Activated Detection Systems: A study on the feasibility and benefits of equipping school buses with systems to detect nearby pedestrians and alert drivers.
• Safety Belt Alert Systems: A study to determine the effectiveness of systems that notify drivers if passengers are not wearing seat belts.

Safety Grant Program

The Secretary of Transportation must establish a grant program to provide states with funds to support local educational agencies in purchasing or upgrading school buses with the mandated safety features.

Authorization of Funds

The bill authorizes necessary appropriations to ensure the execution of its provisions related to school bus safety improvements.

Relevant Companies

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