Bill Requiring Seat Belts on School Buses Goes to Governor for Signature

The Illinois General Assembly recently passed Senate Bill 191, which would add Section 12-826 to the Illinois Vehicle Code, requiring seat belts to be installed on each newly purchased school bus. The bill awaits the Governor’s signature.

Unless vetoed by the Governor, the new bill requires that beginning July 1, 2031, newly purchased school buses must have seat belts that meet the law’s requirements. Under the new legislation, each designated seat in a newly purchased school bus must have a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system (commonly known as 3-point seat safety belt or lap and shoulder restraint system) in good operating condition that meets applicable federal standards.  

While the law mandates seat belt installation, it specifies that school districts, their transportation employees, and transportation contractors are not required to ensure that students correctly adjust and fasten their seat belts. Additionally, these entities are not required to give instruction on how to correctly adjust or fasten the seat belts. Finally, the law does not apply to school buses leased by a school district.

Please contact your Robbins Schwartz attorney with any questions about this new bill and the seat belt requirements for school buses.