Motor Vehicles - School Buses - Seat Belts
Sponsor: Deni Taveras (District 47B)Committee: Environment and TransportationSubject: Vehicle Laws - Rules of the RoadStatus: Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m. (Environment and Transportation) (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Requiring the public school safety education program to include student instruction concerning school bus safety and the proper use of seat belts on school buses; requiring that school buses purchased after July 1, 2030, and registered in the State be equipped with, for every seat on the school bus, 3-point seat belts that are accessible to passengers; and prohibiting a civil action for damages based on the failure of a school bus operator to ensure that an occupant of a school bus was wearing a seat belt.
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Testimony (13)
MGA witness listFAV 8FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendmentsUNF 3Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Carlock, Ruth | Brain Injury Association of Maryland | Position only |
| FAV | Jakuta, Joseph | Climate Parents of Prince George's | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Murphy, JD | MD Chesapeake Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) | Position only |
| FAV | Buckheit, Kimberly | Maryland Center for School Safety | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Poland, Kristin | National Transportation Safety Board | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Thompson, Jeffrey | St Marys County Public Schools Department of Transportation | Oral |
| FAV | Delegate Taveras, Delegate Taveraslegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Fannon, Mary Patlobbyist | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Wilson, Grace | Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Mathias, Sam | Maryland Association of Boards of Education | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Meyerovich, Mark | Individual | Position only |
| FWA | Tolley, George | Dugan, Babij, Tolley & Kohler, LLC | Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Lostrom, Marty | Maryland School Bus Contractors Association | Written (PDF) |