House Bill No. [insert bill number] mandates that all new school buses purchased in Montana must comply with bus standards established by the Board of Public Education, specifically requiring the installation of lap-shoulder belts for each passenger. The bill outlines that school districts must adopt a publicly available policy enforcing the use of these lap-shoulder belts and ensures their proper maintenance. It also limits governmental liability in cases where injuries occur due to improper use of the belts by passengers, provided the school district has an enforceable policy in place. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for decreasing registration fees for buses equipped with lap-shoulder belts and revises definitions and bid letting requirements related to school bus transportation contracts.

The bill also clarifies that the provisions regarding lap-shoulder belts do not apply to school buses purchased before July 1, 2025, or to those for which a school district determines that budget constraints prevent compliance. Furthermore, it amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, including adjustments to the definitions of school buses and the reimbursement rates for transportation. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to school years beginning on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_1(1): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_1: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(1): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(2): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(3): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(4): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(5): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2(6): 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421
HB0512_2: 20-10-101, 20-10-125, 20-10-141, 61-3-529, 61-9-421