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)) 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.