# Illinois SB1613: SCHOOL BUS-SEAT SAFETY BELTS

Illinois SB1613, SCHOOL BUS-SEAT SAFETY BELTS, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by Julie A. Morrison (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-03-04 (Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1613-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois SB1613
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: SCHOOL BUS-SEAT SAFETY BELTS
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-02-04
- Last action: 2025-03-04, Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
- Sponsor: Julie A. Morrison (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: assignments
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the School Code. Requires a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus to provide written or verbal instruction concerning the availability and correct use of seat safety belts to student passengers and their parents or legal guardians at least 2 times per calendar or school year. Requires a school bus driver or aide to provide a verbal or posted reminder to all passengers to fasten their seat safety belts properly before the bus begins to move prior to the start of each trip. Contains provisions concerning liability. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning August 1, 2026, if a school bus has one or more designated passenger seating positions equipped with a seat safety belt system, the seats shall be prioritized for use and the seat safety belt shall be worn correctly by the passengers of the bus. Provides that a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall instruct passengers on the correct use of seat safety belt systems. Provides that when operating other vehicles not defined as a school bus, a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity transporting children must adhere to the occupant restraint requirements of the Child Passenger Protection Act. Provides that, under certain circumstances, a public or nonpublic school, school district, transportation provider or contractor, or other entity operating a school bus shall not be charged for a violation requiring a passenger to use a seat safety belt system if a passenger on the school bus fails to use or incorrectly uses the seat belt system. Effective immediately.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Julie A. Morrison (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Simmons (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (4)

- 2025-03-04: Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: First Reading (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. Morrison (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1613.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB1613.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1613-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).