Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires, beginning January 1, 2027, each designated seating position in any newly purchased or leased school bus to be equipped with a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system in good operating condition and meeting all applicable federal standards. Provides that the provisions do not apply to a school bus that is legally registered in another state and displaying valid registration plates of that state if the bus is not operated in Illinois on a regular basis and the bus is operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or other similar activity for students enrolled in a school located outside of Illinois. Effective immediately.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2031, each designated seating position in any newly purchased school bus shall be equipped with a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system in good operating condition and meeting all applicable federal standards. Provides that nothing in the provisions requires a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus to ensure that the seat safety belt or other restraint system is correctly adjusted and fastened or to give instruction on how to correctly adjust or fasten the seat safety belt or other restraint system. Provides that the requirement does not apply to a school bus that is leased by a school district or a school bus that is legally registered in another state and displaying valid registration plates of that state if the bus is not operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or other similar activity for students enrolled in a school located outside of Illinois. Effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 625 ILCS 5/12
Engrossed: 625 ILCS 5/12
Enrolled: 625 ILCS 5/12