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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1821 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1662
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Sal N. DiDomenico
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act requiring seat belts on school buses.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1821 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1662
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1662) of Sal N. DiDomenico
for legislation relative to requirements for seatbelts on school buses. Public Safety and
Homeland Security.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1504 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act requiring seat belts on school buses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 7B of chapter 90 of the general laws, as appearing in the 2022
2official edition, is hereby amended by adding after criteria (18) the following:- "(19) Every
3school bus transporting students to or from a public, vocational, private or parochial school shall
4be equipped with a seatbelt for each permanent seating accommodation designed and installed in
5compliance with United States motor vehicle D.O.T. safety standards."
6 SECTION 2. A city or town may enact a local ordinance or bylaw requiring that school
7buses operating within the municipality must be equipped with seatbelts at an earlier
8implementation date. 2 of 2
9 SECTION 3. No claim for damages shall arise from the failure of a school bus operator, a
10school, school district or municipality to ensure that a passenger of a school bus was wearing the
11restraint system prescribed by Sections 7B of Chapter 90 of the general laws.
12 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2028.