Education - School Bus - Fire Safety Standards

HB 1610 removes a requirement that Maryland school buses must be constructed with materials meeting specific fire safety tests outlined in National School Transportation standards. Instead, it directs the Motor Vehicle Administration (with input from the Department) to develop new fire safety regulations for school buses. This bill directly affects all Maryland public school buses and their manufacturers by changing the compliance standard from a fixed national test to a new regulatory process. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.