ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota students are returning to school for a new year, and this year will be safer on their school bus thanks to new laws passed in the 2026 session.
Senator Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL – Minnetonka) carried legislation into law this year that clarifies when drivers must stop for school buses, in addition to other new legislation to strengthen other school bus safety requirements.
The new law makes clear that drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when red lights are flashing, regardless of whether the stop arm is fully extended. The change followed a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision that state law required a school bus stop arm to be fully extended before a driver had an obligation to stop. An additional bill authored by Senator Johnson Stewart became law that required first aid kits on school buses and streamlined driver training.
“We have a duty to ensure that every student in Minnesota can get to and from school safely, and parents deserve that peace of mind too.” Said Senator Johnson Stewart. “As students head back to school, I want to remind drivers to slow down, pay attention, and always stop when a school bus is displaying flashing red lights.”
New school bus safety laws include:
- Red Lights: Drivers must stop for flashing red lights on a school bus, even if the stop arm is not fully extended. Flashing amber lights serve as a warning that the red lights will soon be activated.
- First Aid Kits: First aid kits are being updated to better align with national standards and ensure vehicles transporting students are adequately supplied.
- School bus driver training: Allowing commercial driver training schools to use school buses for behind-the-wheel training on public roads. This will make it easier for school districts and bus companies to train their drivers .
- Inspection and safety tracking: Information will be received from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve safety.
“These are commonsense changes to improve safety for students, drivers, and everyone sharing the road. These small changes can make a real difference when it comes to keeping kids safe on their way to school.”
“School bus safety depends on every driver doing their part, and it takes all of us working together to keep students safe,” said Colonel Christina Bogojevic, Chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “This law change makes it clear: when those red lights on the school bus are flashing, there should be no hesitation. Stop, give children the space they need to safely get on or off the bus, and stay stopped until it is safe to proceed. We all share responsibility to ensure Minnesota students arrive at school and return home safely.”
“On behalf of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association, we want to thank Senator Ann Johnson Stewart for authoring and championing this important legislation to help protect Minnesota’s students,” said Kathryn Forbord, President of the Minnesota School Bus Operations Association. “Her advocacy and leadership have made a meaningful difference, and we sincerely appreciate her dedication to student safety.”
The school bus stop light clarification took effect on March 28, 2026, while other technical improvements took effect on August 1, 2026.
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Learn more about Sen. Johnson Stewart.
Read more news from Sen. Johnson Stewart.