NJ only requires lap belts on school busses. Now if I were to strap my 3 YO into my car using only a lap belt there would be all kinds of problems, outrage and possible police citations. Yet that is exactly what they can (AND DO) with tiny children on buses. My son was in a school bus accident (thankfully minor) this year and when it came up for my 3 YO daughter to ride w/o proper restraints we simply said no and either provide private transportation or she doesn't go.
IMO there should be laws at the national level requiring ALL buses (school/motor coach/public/private) to provide for the same passenger restraints as in our personal automobiles. Anyone recall the high school children who were ejected from the bus (which also burned) in California recently? Seatbelts could have save lives there. So think and say what you want, but doesn't the lack of seat belts (and crash-worthy roll-over survivable vehicles) really come down to a matter of the almighty dollar?
OK, off my soapbox. Hope its food for thought for someone.