Gottheimer proposes federal legislation setting new school bus seat belt requirements

A bill sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer in the House of Representatives seeks to update federal requirements for seat belts in all newly manufactured school buses, as indicated by the U.S. Congress.

H.R.7428 was brought before Congress on Feb. 9, 2026, during the 119th Congress’s regular session. Below is our summary, compiled from the legislative text, with interpretive commentary aiming to clarify details.

Essentially, the proposal directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a proposed rule within 180 days of enactment for updated federal seat belt standards applicable to all new school buses, regardless of gross vehicle weight. When developing these standards, factors such as the benefits of lap/shoulder belt technology, feedback from the National Transportation Safety Board on passenger protection, advocacy by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for three-point restraints for children, and advancements in seat belt alert systems would be evaluated. The proposal also considers the experiences of states that have existing seat belt mandates on school buses.

This legislation is led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (Democrat-NJ-5th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Lawler (Republican-NJ-17th District).

Since the current congressional session began, Rep. Gottheimer has put forward 52 additional bills.

A corresponding measure, S.3806, was introduced in the Senate, also on Feb. 9, 2026. Congressional documentation lists it as a companion bill identical to H.R.7428.

Bills in Congress can originate in the House or Senate, except for those concerning revenue, which must start in the House. Bills are assigned to committees, proceed through hearings, amendments and debate, and must pass both chambers before being sent to the president for approval or veto. Congressional terms last two years and are divided into two sessions, each sequentially numbered. Congress.gov maintains up-to-date legislative histories and lawmaking details as provided by the U.S. Congress.

Josh S. Gottheimer is a Democratic representative for New Jersey, first elected to the 115th Congress and serving through four subsequent terms beginning Jan. 3, 2017. His educational background includes a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania (1997) and a J.D. from Harvard Law School (2004).

Details in this report are sourced from the U.S. Congress, with source data available here.