Bill > HR1828

This bill aims to significantly enhance school bus safety by directing the Secretary of Transportation to implement several new safety requirements within one year of enactment. The bill mandates that school buses weighing over 10,000 pounds be equipped with 3-point safety belts at every seating position, require fire suppression systems to address engine fires, and establish stricter firewall standards to prevent flame and gas from passing between the engine and passenger compartments. Additionally, the bill requires school buses to be outfitted with advanced safety technologies including automatic emergency braking systems, event data recorders, and electronic stability control systems. The legislation also calls for improved driver training, mandating at least 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed instructor, and requires a study on motion-activated detection systems to identify pedestrians and cyclists near the bus. To support these safety upgrades, the bill establishes a grant program to help local educational agencies purchase or modify school buses with these new safety features. The bill further addresses potential driver health risks by requiring a final rule on screening for obstructive sleep apnea among safety-sensitive transportation personnel, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to improving school bus safety across multiple dimensions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1828/all-info