HLS 14RS-160 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 600
BY REPRESENTATIVE ABRAMSON
SCHOOLS/TRANSPORTATI ON: Prohibits school bus drivers in certain parishes from
picking up or dropping off children at school while the bus is in a lane of traffic
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:158(J) and 3996(B)(34), relative to the loading and unloading of school2
busses at schools in certain parishes; to provide relative to adoption of policies and3
procedures by school governing authorities regarding such loading and unloading;4
and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:158(J) and 3996(B)(34) are hereby enacted to read as follows:7
§158. School buses for transportation of students; employment of bus operators;8
alternative means of transportation; improvement of school bus turnarounds9
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J. The governing authority of each public school in a parish that contains a11
municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more persons according12
to the latest federal decennial census shall adopt policies and procedures to prohibit13
a school bus driver from loading or unloading students at the school while the bus14
is in a traffic lane and to require that such loading and unloading be done on the15
shoulder of the road, in a school parking lot, or other appropriate off-road location16
at the school as determined by the governing authority.17
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§3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements19
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HB NO. 600
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and1
except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a2
charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this3
Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be4
exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are5
applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for6
the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:7
* * *8
(34) School bus loading and unloading provisions, R.S. 17:158(J).9
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Abramson HB No. 600
Abstract: Requires certain public school governing authorities and charter schools to adopt
policies and procedures prohibiting the loading and unloading of children from
school busses while the bus is in a traffic lane.
Present law (R.S. 17:158) requires each city, parish, and other local public school board to
provide a student free transportation to and from school if the student lives within the board's
jurisdiction and more than one mile from the school. Further authorizes the school board
to provide free transportation to students who live within one mile of the school, if the board
determines that conditions warrant such free transportation. Present law further restricts the
ability of the school board to eliminate or reduce such free transportation services. Proposed
law retains present law.
Proposed law requires the governing authority of each public school, including charter
schools, in any parish with a municipality having a population of 300,000 or more persons
to prohibit the loading or unloading of students from a school bus at a school while the bus
is in a traffic lane. Further requires such governing authorities to adopt policies and
procedures providing for the loading and unloading of students at a school in an appropriate
off-road location.
(Adds R.S. 17:158(J) and 3996(B)(34))