Amends GS 115C-240(c) by making technical changes to its language and structure and amending the minimum rules the State Board of Education (Board) must adopt addressing school bus equipment in the following ways: (1) requires an alternating flashing stoplight on the rear of the bus (was, the front of the bus and rear of the bus) and (2) adds new requirement that every school bus is equipped with type-two seatbelt assemblies compliant with all applicable regulations adopted under 49 U.S.C. § 30111 at all designated seating positions (previously, there was no seatbelt requirement), with an exception that the Board can adopt reasonable rules modifying this requirement with respect to integrated child safety restraint systems, the transportation of students with disabilities, and the use of other federally approved restraint or securement systems where required by federal law.

Makes conforming changes related to the new seatbelt requirement in GS 115C-240(c) to:

(1) GS 115C-247 (to add that local boards of education can purchase, lease, or rent only activity buses equipped with the proper seatbelts);

(2) GS 115C-218.40 (to add that a charter school can purchase, lease, or rent only a school or activity bus, for the purpose of transporting students, equipped with the proper seatbelts);

(3) GS 115C-238.66 (to add a new subdivision stating that a regional school can purchase, lease, or rent only a school or activity bus, for the purpose of transporting students, equipped with the proper seatbelts);  

(4) GS 115C-150.12C (to add a new subdivision stating that a board of trustees (of schools for deaf and blind students) can purchase, lease, or rent only a school or activity bus, for the purpose of transporting students, equipped with the proper seatbelts);

(5) Article 39 of Chapter 115C (to add new GS 115C-548.2 stating that a private church school or school of religious charter can purchase, lease, or rent only a school bus equipped with the proper seatbelts and new GS 115C-566.2 stating that a qualified nonpublic school can purchase, lease, or rent only a school bus equipped with the proper seatbelts);

(6) GS 116-239.8(b) (to add a new subdivision stating that a laboratory school can purchase, lease, or rent only a school or activity bus, for the purpose of transporting students, equipped with the proper seatbelts).

Appropriates $10,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to develop policies that public school units may use to implement the act's requirements.

GS 115C-240(c)(2)d. (the new seatbelt requirement), as enacted by this act, applies to all contracts to purchase or lease school buses and activity buses executed after June 30, 2030. Clarifies that this act does not require any educational entity to equip buses with seat belts at all designated seating positions if the buses are purchased or leased before June 30, 2030.