SECURES Act of 2026

Legislative Summary: SECURES Act of 2026 (H.R. 7428)

Overview

The Secure Every Child Under the Right Equipment Standards Act of 2026, also known as the SECURES Act, is a legislative proposal aimed at increasing passenger safety on school buses. The primary intent of the bill is to mandate the Department of Transportation to establish new federal safety standards specifically regarding seat belt requirements for all new school buses.

Key Provisions

The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a formal rulemaking process to create federal standards for school bus seat belts.

1. Rulemaking Mandate

The Secretary of Transportation must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking within 180 days of the Act's enactment. These standards would apply to all new school buses, regardless of their gross vehicle weight rating.

2. Safety Considerations

In developing these new standards, the Secretary is required to evaluate several specific factors:
* Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems: The safety advantages of "Type 2" seat belt assemblies.
* NTSB Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board's conclusion that lap/shoulder belts provide the highest level of protection and reduce upper body flailing during accidents.
* NHTSA Guidance: Previous statements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advocating for three-point seat belts for every child on school buses.
* Technological Innovations: The potential for integrating seat belt detection, reminder systems, and violation alerts into bus designs.
* State-Level Data: Existing data and experiences from U.S. states that have already implemented seat belt mandates for school buses.

Affected Parties

• School Bus Manufacturers: Will be required to adjust vehicle designs to meet new federal seat belt standards for new buses.
• School Districts: Will be purchasing updated hardware for their fleets.
• Students and Passengers: Will benefit from increased safety equipment and higher protection standards during transport.
• Department of Transportation (DOT): Tasked with the research and regulatory implementation of the new standards.

Timeline and Status

• Introduced: February 9, 2026
• Current Status: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• Implementation Window: If passed, the rulemaking process must begin within six months (180 days) of the bill becoming law.