Schools would need bus seat belts, with older-bus exemptions

The State Board would require seat belts through school-bus rules. Listed schools would have to buy, lease, or rent covered buses with belts at every designated seat. The rules cover the public and private schools listed in the act. Public-school rules include buses for school events. Private-school rules cover religious schools and other qualified private schools, and vehicles meeting the federal definition of a school bus. Belts would have to meet the listed federal safety rules. The State Board or schools could adjust requirements for built-in child restraints, students with disabilities, and other federally approved restraint systems where federal law requires them. Schools would not have to equip buses bought or leased before June 30, 2030, with belts at every designated seat. The act would take effect when it becomes law. The State Board's belt rule would cover purchase or lease contracts signed after June 30, 2030. Separate school purchase, lease, and rental rules have no express delayed start.

North Carolina would set aside $10,000 from the General Fund for the Department of Public Instruction to develop policies. The Department of Public Instruction would develop policies for public schools. The money would support policy development. Public schools could use these policies to carry out the bus requirements. The money would be set aside for the 2026–2027 fiscal year if the bill becomes law.