The Maryland General Assembly's Environment and Transportation Committee convened on February 14, 2025, to discuss critical safety legislation concerning school buses. The session highlighted the urgent need for seat belts on large school buses, driven by personal testimonies and expert opinions.

Juliana Nunez, a middle school student, passionately advocated for House Bill 134, which mandates the installation of seat belts on school buses. Nunez recounted her own experiences of being thrown from her seat during bus rides and referenced a recent school bus rollover incident in Howard County, as well as a tragic accident in Texas that resulted in a child's death. She emphasized that the current safety measures are inadequate and called for immediate action to protect students during transit.

Kristen Poland, deputy director of the Office of Highway Safety at the National Transportation Safety Board, supported Nunez's testimony. Poland, a biomechanical engineer and a parent, explained that while school buses are generally safe due to their design, they are not immune to serious accidents. She detailed how passenger lap shoulder belts could significantly reduce injuries and fatalities in various crash scenarios, including rollovers and collisions with larger vehicles. Poland urged the committee to amend state statutes to require these safety features in new large school buses.

The committee also heard from Lauren Gammmer of the Public Health Law Clinic at the University of Maryland, who provided additional insights into the public health implications of school bus safety.

The discussions underscored a growing consensus on the necessity of enhancing safety measures for school transportation. The committee's next steps will likely involve further deliberation on the proposed legislation, which aims to ensure that all Maryland students can travel to and from school safely.