By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a hearing on legislation that would establish a special commission to review and recommend updates to school bus safety standards and operator training requirements; including potential adoption of safety sensors, additional monitors, enhanced training and other measures to protect students while on buses, during boarding, disembarking and at bus stops. The commission would be required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.

The proposed law, known as “Summer’s Law,” is named after then 9-year-old Summer Steele of Plainfield, who was run over and killed in October 2016 when her backpack got caught in the door of her school bus.

Supporters said that the study would yield proposed legislation that would save lives, prevent injuries and make students safer. They noted that the installation of anti-pinch sensors technology that react to very small objects by stopping the closing movement of the door, would be a priority.

Co-sponsors of the bill, Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket) and Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D- Northampton) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on their proposal.