An Act To Enhance The Safety Of Public Transit Bus Operators Through The Installation Of Vehicle Security Barriers

This bill requires urban transit providers in Maine to install protective security barriers in large buses by August 1, 2029, to protect bus operators from potential attacks. The law defines a large heavy-duty bus as one weighing over 26,001 pounds and measuring 30 feet or longer, and specifies that security barriers must be transparent, durable, and allow operators to see clearly and communicate with passengers. A new state fund will provide grants to help transit providers purchase and install these barriers, with an initial $1 million transfer from the General Fund to support the program. Transit providers must also submit annual progress reports to the Department of Transportation by August 1 each year from 2027 through 2029, and operators cannot run non-compliant buses after the 2029 deadline.