The Illinois Senate has passed a bill that would require all newly purchased school buses in the state to be equipped with seat belts by 2031.
Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison (D–Deerfield), mandates that every designated seating position in any newly purchased school bus have a combination pelvic and upper torso seat safety belt system-commonly known as a three-point, or lap-and-shoulder, seat belt-beginning July 1, 2031. The bill does not require school districts, private schools, or bus contractors to ensure students use the seat belts, nor does it obligate drivers or aides to instruct students on their proper use. The law will apply only to newly purchased buses and not to those leased or registered out of state.
The push for the legislation intensified after a school bus crash in Morrison’s district, which raised concerns among parents about the lack of seat belts on school buses. Senator Morrison emphasized that the bill is about prioritizing children’s safety.
The advocacy effort was further propelled by Kimberly Loughlin, a curriculum designer and certified child passenger safety technician, whose son experienced two separate school bus crashes in vehicles lacking seat belts. Her experience, along with support from safety experts and organizations, shaped the bill’s language.
The bill passed the Senate on a 39-13 partisan vote and now moves to the House for further consideration. Some Republican lawmakers voiced concerns, arguing that seat belts could be misused as weapons or hinder children’s ability to escape in emergencies.
If enacted, Illinois would become the seventh state to require three-point seat belts on school buses, joining Arkansas, California, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, and Texas. Safety advocates and national organizations, including the National Safety Council and the National Transportation Safety Board, have long recommended such measures, citing data that lap-and-shoulder belts reduce injuries, improve passenger behavior, and aid in emergency evacuations.
The bill now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further debate and possible amendments.
