SBF Legislative Roundup: March 28, 2022

Colorado Bill With Sweeping Pupil Transportation Safety Changes to be Named in Girl's Honor

A bill introduced by the Colorado State Senate aimed at adding safety improvements to pupil transportation programs would be named in memory of Annaliese Backner, an 11-year-old who was killed earlier this month after tripping and falling under the wheels of her school bus. Police say the student was running to catch the moving bus when she tripped and fell under the wheels. According to CBS 4 Denver, the bill's sponsors said they wanted to rename the bill "Anna's Bill" in her memory.

It would create a statewide safe student protection program to provide grants to school districts and charter schools to support student safety, including equipment and training to ensure safe student transportation on school buses. It would also facilitate the development of a secure website, online application, and mobile application that provides parental notifications about student safety and age-appropriate health and safety information at no cost to parents.

Oklahoma Bill Would Allow Grants to Parents as Student Dropoff Incentive

A bill introduced in the Oklahoma State House would allow school districts to use some of their transportation funding to provide grants to parents or neighborhood carpools to support them in transporting students to and from school. If passed, the law would go into effect during the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Governor Signs Bill Requiring Certain School Staff, Bus Drivers to Receive Seizure Response Training

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into law that requires schools to provide epilepsy or seizure disorder care to a student who creates an individualized seizure action plan. All school staff members, including school bus drivers, who work in close contact to the student are required to undergo the training. The law goes into effect in July.

Maryland Bills Would Establish An Electric School Bus Pilot Program

A set of bills introduced in the Maryland General Assembly would establish a pilot program to introduce electric school buses to interested school districts. The companion bills--one introduced in the House and one in the Senate--would require the Public Service Commission to implement and administer the pilot program. If it passes, it would authorize investor-owned electric companies to apply to the Commission to implement an electric school bus pilot program with a participating school system if the pilot program meets certain standards. The investor-owned electric companies would then recover certain costs under the pilot program.