SECURES Act of 2026
Senate Bill Would Require Seat Belts on All New School Buses
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would require the Department of Transportation to start the process of making seat belts mandatory on all new school buses. Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, officials would have to release a formal plan for these new safety rules.
- The rules would apply to all new school buses, no matter how much they weigh. Currently, federal law only requires seat belts on smaller school buses, while larger buses often rely on padded seats to protect students during a crash.
- The proposal specifically looks at three-point lap and shoulder belts, which are the same kind found in regular cars. Safety experts say these provide the best protection because they keep a student's upper body from moving too much during an accident.
- Government officials would also look into new technology for buses, such as sensors that tell the driver if a student isn't buckled up or reminder systems that alert children to put their belts on.
- This move follows recommendations from national safety boards and the experiences of several states that already require seat belts on their buses. The goal is to create a single safety standard for all children across the country.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Small bus manufacturers and private school bus operators could face higher costs if new buses must include lap/shoulder belts, which can add $8,000–$15,000 per bus. On the other hand, companies that make seat belt systems and related detection technology could see new business opportunities. The net effect depends on whether costs are absorbed by operators or passed along to school districts.
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
New Jersey's school bus seat belt law should go national, Rep. Josh Gottheimer says
New Jersey's school bus seat belt law should go national, Rep. Josh Gottheimer says
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SECURES Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.