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Safer School Buses: New Requirements and Financial Support

This act introduces new mandatory safety equipment for school buses, such as seat belts, emergency braking systems, and fire suppression systems, aiming to enhance children's safety during school commutes. Additionally, a grant program is established to assist schools in purchasing and upgrading their bus fleets.
Key points
All new school buses over 10,000 pounds must be equipped with three-point safety belts at every seating position.
School buses will be required to have automatic emergency braking systems, event data recorders, and electronic stability control systems.
New fire protection standards will be implemented for school buses, including fire suppression systems and improved firewalls between the engine and passenger compartments.
School bus operators will need to complete at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a qualified instructor.
A grant program will be established to help states and local educational agencies purchase new, safer school buses or modify existing ones.
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_2539
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Process start date: 2021-07-29
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

School Bus Safety Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_2539.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-29.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • All new school buses over 10,000 pounds must be equipped with three-point safety belts at every seating position.
  • School buses will be required to have automatic emergency braking systems, event data recorders, and electronic stability control systems.
  • New fire protection standards will be implemented for school buses, including fire suppression systems and improved firewalls between the engine and passenger compartments.
  • School bus operators will need to complete at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a qualified instructor.
  • A grant program will be established to help states and local educational agencies purchase new, safer school buses or modify existing ones.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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