Proposed bill for seat belts back in focus following Minco school bus crash

A rollover crash involving the Minco High School softball team on Monday night has spurred a conversation about seat belt laws in Oklahoma. 

No fatalities were reported. 

RELATED: Minco High School softball team bus crash injures players and coaches

Currently, school buses do not require seat belts. But HB 1244, introduced by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, in this year’s legislative session, would have mandated seat belts on new school buses in the future. 

The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but it remains alive and able to be heard during the coming legislative session in the new year. 

“Neighborhood busing is safe, I have no problems with that,” Strom told News 9. “But it’s when you take buses out on activities on the highway is my concern.” 

Concerns against the idea have ranged from opposition to an “unfunded mandate” to logistics, and even misassumptions about the bill being applied retroactively, which Strom said would not happen under the proposal. 

Strom said he’s already had conversations with legislative colleagues following what happened in Minco. 

“It’s a tragedy," he said. He added on, saying, “Our resources and thoughts and prayers need to be with the families in Minco as they go through this.” 

SEE ALSO: Minco Superintendent speaks out after school bus crash involving softball team

For many years, retired Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel has lobbied for the state to adopt a law for seat belts in school buses. 

And, for overall stricter seat belt laws in general. 

“It’s about saving lives,” Whetsel said. “To me, it’s really frustrating that the legislature in Oklahoma, and Congress in D.C., have not passed laws mandating seat belts in school buses.” 

The National Sheriffs Association has previously endorsed a national recommendation to implement seat belts on school buses across the country. 

“Tell me what that life is worth,” Whetsel said. “Because you’re putting a price on the life of our children and grandchildren if you’re saying school bus seat belts are too expensive.” 

Billionaire and Oklahoma oil and gas businessman Harold Hamm also penned an op-ed on Tuesday, showing his support for the implementation of seat belts on school buses.