School bus safety measures advance in the Legislature

5th grader Canasia Williams, who survived last year's deadly Woodmore Elementary School bus crash, hugs her grandmother, Selbrea Rhodes, Tuesday after mandatory bus seat-belt bill clears House panel.
5th grader Canasia Williams, who survived last year's deadly Woodmore Elementary School bus crash, hugs her grandmother, Selbrea Rhodes, Tuesday after mandatory bus seat-belt bill clears House panel.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Bills designed to keep school bus riders safe continue to advance in the Tennessee Legislature, with one measure requiring buses to have seat belts clearing another hurdle.

The bills came as a result of a deadly bus wreck in Brainerd in November that killed six children and injured dozens more.

Today, a House committee approved a measure that would require that all new school buses be equipped with seat belts. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about restraints trapping children if the school bus caught on fire or was submerged in water.

Also, the House on Monday evening voted unanimously to pass a bill pushed by Gov. Bill Haslam that would require more oversight of school bus drivers. The measure still has to clear the Senate.

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