The legislature's Transportation Committee met yesterday for a public hearing about dozens of bills introduced this session, including one requiring new school buses to have seat belts.  Wilton Senator Toni Boucher was concerned about young children not being able to unbuckle themselves if there was an emergency.  She notes that that would require more help or staff time.

There is also disparity in the size of children using the same school buses. 

Boucher was concerned about the unfunded mandate of requiring school buses model year 2019 or newer to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat safety belts.  The question she raised is how to convince school districts and busing companies about the need for this safety measure, weighed against other competing financial concerns.

The bill would also require passengers of a school bus to wear seat safety belts, if the vehicle is equipped with them.