With the aim of strengthening road safety, the state of New York has put forward Senate Bill 1061, a legislative proposal for the 2025–2026 session that seeks to make the use of seat belts on school buses mandatory. The fact is that currently, these vehicles must be equipped with seat belts, but the existing law does not require their use, so this bill would mandate that all passengers buckle up, also requiring drivers to announce “Everybody fasten your seat belts” before starting the trip.
Currently, the measure is under review in the Senate Transportation Committee, and if approved by the majority in the Senate and Assembly, it will go to the governor for signature or veto. With this new legislation and its implementation, the goal is to reduce the risk of serious injury or death and prevent financial and insurance complications arising from collisions.
Seatbelts makes the difference
It is undeniable that the seatbelt is one of the most important safety features in any vehicle. Its primary function is to protect the passenger during a collision, keeping them secured in situations of sudden stops, rollovers, or unexpected accidents, making a real difference. When a crash occurs in a vehicle, the human body is subjected to extreme forces, which are distributed evenly throughout the body thanks to the seatbelt, protecting vital organs from irreparable damage.
Beyond individual safety, wearing a seatbelt also protects other occupants of the vehicle. Without this restraint, passengers could become projectiles inside the cabin, hitting other people or even being ejected from the car. In addition to the physical consequences, serious complications with insurance companies can also arise if those involved were not wearing a seatbelt, adding emotional and financial problems to the physical trauma of the accident.
Change in school buses regulation
Despite the importance of wearing seat belts, especially to protect children, until now there was no law in the state of New York that strictly required their use on school transportation. The most curious thing is that these vehicles were required to be equipped with seat belts, but there was no regulation mandating their use by students. According to the official summary of the Senate Bill 1061 from the New York State Senate, the new bill specifies the following:
“Provides that all passengers of school buses must wear seat belts; exempts school bus attendants and others acting in a supervisory capacity from such requirement; requires that drivers announce “Everybody fasten your seat belts” before a school bus is placed in motion; empowers the commissioner of education to enforce such provisions”.
Process of Senate Bill 1061
There are still steps in the legislative process to be taken for Senate Bill 1061 to become law. Currently, it is in the hands of committee members, who have the authority to debate, amend, or hold hearings on the text if necessary. If approved, the bill moves to the full Senate for a general vote, where it must receive a majority vote to pass to the assembly.
Once both chambers approve the same version of the bill, it is sent to the governor’s office. It is at this final stage that it is decided whether to sign it into law or exercise the veto right. Expectations for this bill are positive, and it is expected to pass without obstacles. It is currently being reviewed by the committee, so there is still a way to go. Until now, New York had fines for not wearing seat belts in other vehicles, but it lacked a specific mandate for children on school buses, a measure that has the real potential to save lives.
Frequently asked questions
What changes with Bill S1061?
It makes it mandatory for children to wear seat belts on school buses; currently, buses have them, but it is not mandatory to buckle them.
What new task will bus drivers have?
Before starting, they must mandatorily announce to all passengers: “Everybody fasten your seat belts”.
What is the current status of this law?
It is under review in the Senate Transportation Committee. To become law, it must be voted on by the Senate, the Assembly, and finally signed by the Governor.