3rd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 220

THE SCHOOL BUS SEAT BELT SAFETY ACT

(Assented to                                         )

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1   The following definitions apply in this Act.

"independent school" means an independent school as defined in The Education Administration Act. (« école indépendante »)

"public school" means a public school as defined in The Education Administration Act. (« école publique »)

"school bus" means a vehicle that is designed and classified by the manufacturer as a school bus and used to transport students and any other authorized persons to or from school or approved school-related activities. (« autobus scolaire »)

"school district" means a school district as defined in The Public Schools Act. (« district scolaire »)

"school division" means a school division as defined in The Public Schools Act. (« division scolaire »)

Passenger seat belts required on new school buses

2   Subject to the regulations, each school bus manufactured after 2026 that is used to transport students at a public school or an independent school must be equipped with three-point pelvic and upper torso passenger seat belts that meet the requirements set out in the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1038, made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) or another standard prescribed by regulation.

Duty to ensure compliance

3   The following are responsible for ensuring compliance with section 2:

(a) in the case of a school bus transporting public school students, the applicable school division or school district;

(b) in the case of a school bus transporting students at an independent school, the authority in control of the independent school.

Student seat belt use policy

4(1)   Each school division, school district and authority in control of an independent school must establish and implement a policy respecting student use of seat belts on school buses that are equipped with passenger seat belts.

Consequences for breaching policy

4(2)   The student seat belt use policy must establish progressive disciplinary measures for students who fail to comply with the policy.

Regulations

5   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) exempting specific types or classes of school buses from the application of this Act;

(b) prescribing standards for passenger seat belts on school buses;

(c) defining any word or expression used but not defined in this Act;

(d) respecting any matter the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of this Act.

C.C.S.M. reference

6   This Act may be referred to as chapter S30 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

7   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.