IN HB1287

Legislative Description

Seat belts on school buses. Provides that a school bus or special purpose bus that is placed into operation after June 30, 2020, and that is used to transport elementary school or high school students must be equipped with a 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt (safety belt) at each seating location. Provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school that authorizes or permits a violation of the safety belt requirement commits a Class C infraction. Requires the state school bus committee to adopt rules for the design, installation, and use of safety belt systems that must be installed in school buses and special purpose buses. Provides that the safety belt requirement is an exception to the laws concerning other types of passenger restraint systems. Requires each occupant of a school bus or special purpose bus that has a safety belt to have the safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the bus is in motion, and provides that a school corporation, charter school, or nonpublic school or an owner of a school bus or special purpose bus (including a school bus or special purpose bus operated under a fleet or transportation contract) that authorizes or permits a violation of this requirement commits a Class C infraction. Establishes the safety belt revolving loan fund (fund). Requires the department of education to establish a revolving loan program to provide loans from the fund to school corporations to assist school corporations, including charter schools, in paying expenses necessary to comply with requirements concerning safety belts on school buses and special purpose buses. Appropriates $5,000,000 to the fund from the state general fund. Makes conforming amendments.

Last Action

Committee Referrals