School Bus Safety Act of 2023

HR 10022, the School Bus Safety Act of 2023, requires new school buses over 10,000 pounds to have 3-point seat belts at all seats and enhanced fire protection systems (including engine fire suppression and improved firewalls) by 2024. It mandates automatic emergency braking, event data recorders, and electronic stability control systems on all new school buses, while also requiring 8 hours of hands-on driver training for school bus operators. The bill creates a federal grant program to help schools purchase safety-equipped buses or retrofit existing ones with these features. These provisions directly affect school bus manufacturers, school districts, and bus operators nationwide, aiming to improve safety through standardized equipment and training.