Bill 220: The School Bus Seat Belt Safety Act

This bill primarily affects school divisions, school districts, and independent schools across Manitoba that operate or contract school bus transportation. Organizations purchasing or leasing new school buses after 2026 will need to ensure those vehicles come equipped with three-point passenger seat belts, which typically increases the per-vehicle cost compared to standard lap-belt or beltless configurations. School administrators will also need to develop, document, and enforce a formal seat belt use policy — adding a compliance and governance task to their operations. Bus contractors or fleet operators supplying buses to schools may also need to factor these requirements into procurement and fleet renewal planning.