With the Senate already passing a similar bill, it’s up to the House to approve its own legislation that would require all newly manufactured school buses in the state to be equipped with “safety restraints.”
The bill language stops short of retrofitting legacy school buses and does not specifically mention if the occupant restraints refer to three-point, lap-shoulder belts, though it does extend to both the bus driver in addition to all passenger seats. If passed, S2256 would also require that bus evacuation drills be conducted.
School districts with seat belt-equipped buses would be required to adopt plans that include evacuation drills to ensure that students know how to unbuckle the occupant restraints in case of an emergency. Sen. Adam Satchell, who introduced the bill, also pointed out that Rhode Island law requires bus monitors on all buses carrying children in grades kindergarten through five, so monitors could also help younger children if they need any assistance with their seat belts.
Satchell said in he introduced the legislation because Rhode Island mandates seat belt usage in all passenger vehicles but not school buses.
“Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries. While school bus accidents are fortunately not common, a child who is wearing a seat belt during one is less likely to get hurt than a child who isn’t,” he added. “This is a common-sense safety improvement that, in 2016, we really should adopt for the protection of children.”
