MN HF228

School buses purchased after December 31, 2011 must be equipped with approved lap and shoulder belts for each passenger-seating position; buses purchased before this date may have either lap belts or lap and shoulder belts.

The commissioner shall establish design and installation standards for lap and shoulder belts that integrate with existing compartmentalization safety systems, and these standards are exempt from chapter 14 rulemaking requirements.

Passengers on equipped school buses must wear lap or shoulder belts unless the passenger or parent/guardian notifies the school district in writing of intent not to wear them.

School districts and bus operators are not liable in personal injury lawsuits solely because a passenger was not wearing a safety belt, but retain liability for failure to maintain required equipment or comply with applicable statutes and policies.

School buses are removed from the exemption list in section 169.685, subjecting them to the same seat belt installation requirements as other new motor vehicles sold in Minnesota.