House Bill No. introduced by J. Cohenour and others mandates that all new school buses 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 lap-shoulder belt usage policy, ensuring that all passengers use the belts and that they are properly maintained. 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 decreases certain registration fees for school buses equipped with lap-shoulder belts and revises definitions and bid letting requirements related to school bus transportation contracts.

The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these changes, including provisions for bid letting, maximum reimbursement rates for transportation, and the definition of a school bus. Notably, it specifies that differential costs for outfitting buses with lap-shoulder belts are not subject to the 12% limit on contract costs. The effective date of the bill is set for July 1, 2025, and it 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