2017 -- S 0174

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LC000818

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - SAFETY BELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Satchell, McCaffrey, DaPonte, Gallo, and Jabour

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-22 of the General Laws entitled "Miscellaneous Rules" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     31-22-11.10. Safety belts in school buses.

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     (a) Every new school bus purchased or leased for use in the state shall be equipped with a

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combination pelvic and upper torso 3-point passenger seat belt system for the operator and each

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passenger seat effective January 1, 2019.

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     (b) Each school district shall prepare a plan for the implementation and use of 3-point

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seat belts including:

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     (1) Training on the proper securement and adjustment of 3-point seat belts;

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     (2) Communicated policy requiring usage and consequences of non-usage;

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     (3) Evacuation drills with unbuckling exercises in case of emergency;

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     (4) Training in service and maintenance of seats and 3-point seat belts;

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     (5) Said plan shall be approved by the commissioner of the state department of education

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and shall be in effect commencing January 1, 2019.

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     (c) Each plan submitted to the commissioner in accordance with subsection (b) of this

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section shall require each school district to prioritize the allocation of buses equipped with 3-point

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seat belt systems to ensure that elementary schools within the district and sports teams and field

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trips receive first priority.

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     (d) Each plan shall require that each passenger on a school bus that is equipped with 3-

 

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point seat belt systems shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened 3-point seat belt systems at all

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times while the bus is in operation. The plan shall also indicate the manner by which each school

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district shall enforce compliance with this requirement.

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     (e) The state, any city or town, any school district, any school bus operator whether or not

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under contract with a school district, or an agent or employee of a school district or operator,

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including a teacher or volunteer serving as a chaperone, shall not be liable for any claim arising

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out of a violation or the implementation or any other provision of this chapter including, but not

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limited to, injury to a school bus passenger solely because the injured party was not wearing a

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safety belt or for an injury caused solely by another passenger's use or nonuse of a safety belt or

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restraint system in dangerous or unsafe manner.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - SAFETY BELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES

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     This act would require that every new school bus purchased or leased for use in the state

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be equipped with a combination pelvic and upper torso 3-point passenger seat belt system for the

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operator and each passenger seat effective January 1, 2019. Each school district would prepare a

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plan for the implementation and use of the 3-point seat belts.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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