HLS 14RS-160 REENGROSSED
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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 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
buses; to provide limitations on the location of such loading and unloading; and to3
provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 17:158(J) and 3996(B)(34) are hereby enacted to read as follows:6
§158. School buses for transportation of students; employment of bus operators;7
alternative means of transportation; improvement of school bus turnarounds8
* * *9
J.(1) The governing authority of each public school shall adopt policies and10
procedures or shall make provision in its bus transportation service agreement to11
prohibit a school bus driver from loading or unloading students at the school while12
the bus is in a traffic lane and to require that such loading and unloading be done on13
the shoulder of the road, in a school parking lot, or other appropriate off-road14
location at the school as determined by the governing authority.15
(2) The prohibition in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply if the16
shoulder of a municipal road is the only available alternative and the municipality17
has not made the shoulder available by designating that area for loading and18
unloading students during designated school zone hours.19
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HB NO. 600
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are additions.
§3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements1
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B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and3
except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a4
charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this5
Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be6
exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are7
applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for8
the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:9
* * *10
(34) School bus loading and unloading provisions, R.S. 17:158(J).11
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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 public school governing authorities and charter schools to adopt
policies or provide in their bus transportation service agreements provisions
prohibiting school bus drivers from loading and unloading students while a bus is in
a traffic lane except under certain circumstances.
Present law (R.S. 17:158) requires public school boards 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 a 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, to adopt policies or to provide in their bus transportation service agreements
provisions prohibiting school bus drivers from loading or unloading students at school while
the bus is in a traffic lane and to provide for such loading and unloading on the shoulder of
the road, in a school parking lot, or other appropriate off-road location. Provides that such
prohibition shall not apply when the shoulder of a municipal road is the only available
alternative and the municipality has not made the shoulder available by designating that area
for loading and unloading students during designated school zone hours.
(Adds R.S. 17:158(J) and 3996(B)(34)) HLS 14RS-160 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 600
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original
bill.
1. Provides that the proposed law prohibition does not apply if the shoulder of a
municipal road is the only available alternative and the municipality has not
made it available for loading and unloading students during designated school
zone hours.
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Broadens application of proposed law to public school governing authorities and
charter schools statewide instead of limiting its application to certain parishes.
2. Allows public school governing authorities and charter schools to provide the
prohibition required by proposed law in their bus transportation service
agreements as an alternative to doing so through the adoption of policies and
procedures.