1. In addition to the requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 222 (49 C.F.R. 571.222) concerning school bus passenger seating and crash protection, each school bus as defined in R.S.39:1-1 shall be equipped with seats of a minimum seat back height of 28 inches, or 24 inches as measured from the seating reference point, and three-point lap and shoulder seat belts for each seating position on the bus or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards. The design and installation of seat belts or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards shall conform to the regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The State board shall promulgate regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), for the design and installation of seat belts or other child restraint systems that are in conformity with applicable federal standards.

As used in this section “seating reference point” shall be defined as the term is defined in 49 C.F.R.s.571.3.

L.1992, c.92, s.1; amended 2018, c.118.