1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to pupil transportation; requiring seat belts on newly purchased school
1.3 buses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 169.447, subdivision 2a;
1.4 169.685, subdivision 1.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.447, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2a.Passenger lap and shoulder belts.(a) In addition to the requirements in
1.8section 169.4501, subdivision 1,:
1.9 (1) a school bus may be equipped with an approved lap belt or an approved lap and
1.10shoulder belt installed for each passenger seating position on the bus; and
1.11 (2) a school bus purchased after December 31, 2023, must be equipped with an approved
1.12lap and shoulder belt installed for each passenger seating position on the bus.
1.13 (b) The design and installation of lap belts and lap and shoulder belts required under
1.14this paragraph (a) must meet the standards of the commissioner established under this
1.15paragraph (b). (b) The commissioner shall consider all concerns necessary to properly
1.16integrate lap belts or lap and shoulder belts into the current compartmentalization safety
1.17system and prescribe standards for the design and installation of lap and shoulder belts
1.18required under paragraph (a). The standards are not subject to chapter 14 and are specifically
1.19not subject to section 14.386.
1.20 (c) This subdivision does not apply to specially equipped school buses under section
1.21169.4504.
1Section 1.
23-01422 as introduced12/22/22 REVISOR CM/BM
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 122NINETY-THIRD SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: REST)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/10/2023
Referred to Transportation 2.1 (d) A passenger on a school bus equipped with lap belts or lap and shoulder belts must
2.2use these lap belts or lap and shoulder belts unless the passenger, or if the passenger is a
2.3minor, the passenger's parent or guardian, has notified the school district in writing that the
2.4passenger does not intend to wear the lap belt or lap and shoulder belt.
2.5 (e) In an action for personal injury or wrongful death against a school district, a school
2.6bus operator under contract with a school district, or any agent or employee of a school
2.7district or operator, or against a volunteer, no such person or entity shall be held liable solely
2.8because the injured party was not wearing a safety belt; provided, however, that nothing
2.9contained herein shall be construed to grant immunity from liability for failure to:
2.10 (1) maintain in operating order any equipment required by statute, rule, or school district
2.11policy; or
2.12 (2) comply with an applicable statute, rule, or school district policy.
2.13 (f) In an action for personal injury or wrongful death, a school district, a school bus
2.14contract operator, any agent or employee of a school district or operator, or a volunteer is
2.15not liable for failing to assist any child with the adjustment, fastening, unfastening, or other
2.16use of the lap belt or lap and shoulder belt.
2.17 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.685, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.18 Subdivision 1.Requirement; exemptions.After January 1, 1964, all new motor vehicles,
2.19not exempt from Minnesota license fees, other than a bus, school bus, motorcycle, motorized
2.20bicycle, farm tractor, road tractor, and truck, sold or offered for sale or registered in
2.21Minnesota shall be equipped to permit the installation of seat belts in the front seat thereof.
2.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective December 31, 2023.
2Sec. 2.
23-01422 as introduced12/22/22 REVISOR CM/BM