This bill, the "Secure Every Child Under the Right Equipment Standards Act of 2026" (SECURES Act of 2026), would require the Secretary of Transportation to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking within 180 days after the law is enacted. The proposed rulemaking must address new Federal standards for seat belt requirements on all new school buses, regardless of gross vehicle weight rating. The bill says the Secretary should consider the safety benefits of lap/shoulder (Type 2) seat belts, the National Transportation Safety Board conclusion that "Lap/shoulder belts provide the highest level of protection for school bus passengers" and that "Properly worn lap/shoulder belts provide greater benefit," a 2015 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statement that the agency believes "that every child on every school bus should have a three-point seat belt," any innovative seat belt detection or reminder systems, and experience from States that already require seat belts on school buses.
If enacted, the Department of Transportation would be required to start the formal rulemaking process (publish a notice of proposed rulemaking) about seat belt standards for all new school buses within 180 days. A published proposed rule is a first step; it does not itself change requirements. The rulemaking could consider three-point lap/shoulder belts, detection or reminder systems, and State experiences. Any final rule, timing, or specific requirements are not provided in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
The bill highlights safety findings and statements included in the rulemaking considerations. It cites the National Transportation Safety Board conclusion that "Lap/shoulder belts provide the highest level of protection for school bus passengers" and notes that lap/shoulder belts reduce upper-body injuries. It also cites a 2015 statement by the then-Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expressing the view that "every child on every school bus should have a three-point seat belt." The bill also supports considering new detection and reminder technologies and State experience.
No publicly available information.