HB 5178 — AN ACT REQUIRING THREE-POINT LAP AND SHOULDER SEAT SAFETY BELTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES.

AN ACT REQUIRING THREE-POINT LAP AND SHOULDER SEAT SAFETY BELTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES.

General Assembly   ProposedCommittee Bill No.

5178   January Session, 2017   LCO No.

2295416   *00229**05416HB05178TRA* Referred to Committee on TRANSPORTATION   Introduced by:

  REP.(TRA)   AN ACT REQUIRING THREE-POINT LAP AND SHOULDER SEAT SAFETY BELTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES.

CAMILLO, 151st Dist.

  AN ACT REQUIRING THREE-POINT SEAT SAFETY BELTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES.

ThatSection (1)1. subsection (c) of section 14-275 of the general statutes be amended to require each school bus that is model year 2022 or newer to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts, and (2) the general statutes be amended to require the operator and any passenger of a school bus that is equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts to wear such belts while the school bus is being operated.

StatementSubsection (c) of Purpose:section 14-275 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2017):

(c) (1) Each school bus shall be equipped with special automatic, electrically-operated flashing stop signals, which shall be independent and separate from the braking, stop and tail lights of standard equipment.

Such flashing lights may include automatic traffic signalling devices showing red and amber lights and shall be so located that adequate warning will be afforded to both oncoming and overtaking traffic, except that each school bus manufactured on and after October 1, 1984, and registered for use in this state shall be equipped with an eight-light warning system, showing two red flashing stop signals and two amber flashing warning signals on the front and rear of the bus, and a stop semaphore.

The commissioner may adopt standards for an eight-light warning system and standards and specifications for the construction of school buses and for equipment to be maintained on school buses consistent with the provisions of sections 14-275 to 14-281, inclusive.

(2) Both public and private owners of school buses shall maintain a record of such kinds of repairs made to such buses as the commissioner may require and such work record shall be available at all times to the commissioner and the commissioner's designated assistants.

All such maintenance records shall be retained for a period of two years.

(3) Each school bus shall be equipped with emergency lighting equipment as provided by section 14-97a, with a defrosting device as provided by section 14-97, with a system of mirrors as provided in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 571.111, as amended, or with an outside mirror as provided by section 14-99 and a system of crossover mirrors designed and mounted so as to give the driver a view of the road from the front bumper forward to a point where direct observation is possible and along the left and right sides of the bus, with a signalling device as provided by section 14-101, and with chain nonskid devices for immediate use on at least one outside or inside rear tire on each side or tires designed to prevent skidding on all rear wheels when weather and highway conditions require such use.

(4) Commencing February 1, 1974, each new school bus with a vehicle air brake system shall be so equipped that the brake system is operated from a separate air reservoir tank other than the air reservoir tank used to operate any other compressed air or vacuum operated devices with which the school bus may be equipped.

(5) The seating requirements of section 14-273 shall be observed.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-98, school buses may be equipped with tires incorporating a metal nonskid device during the period from October fifteenth to April thirtieth, inclusive.

(7) Each school bus that is model year 2007 or newer shall be equipped with a crossing control arm mounted on the right end of the front bumper.

The commissioner shall establish additional standards and requirements for such devices in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(8) Each school bus that is model year 2022 or newer shall be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts for each seating position on such school bus.

The commissioner shall suspend the registration of any school bus not equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts, as required by this subdivision until such seat safety belts have been installed.

Sec.

2.

(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The operator and any passenger of a school bus, as defined in section 14-275 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, that is equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts shall wear such seat safety belt while the school bus is being operated.

(b) Each local or regional school district shall provide written notice concerning the availability and proper use of three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts to a parent or legal guardian of each student who will be transported on a school bus, and shall instruct each student on the proper use, fastening and unfastening of such seat safety belts.

(c) No local or regional school district, carrier with whom a local or regional school district has contracted for the transportation of students, or operator of a school bus shall be liable for damages for injury resulting solely from a student's use, misuse or failure to use a seat safety belt installed on a school bus.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2017 14-275(c) Sec.

2 from passage New section Statement of Purpose:

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.

Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] Co-Sponsors:

REP.

CAMILLO, 151st Dist.

H.B.

5178