RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 377 (HB 156) 2019 Regular Session Pugh
Existing law requires the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to adopt
regulations for the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses. Prior law
provided that a school bus that met the latest revised minimum standards for school buses
adopted and recommended by certain national entities was deemed to be in compliance with
the BESE regulations. New law instead requires that a school bus meet such minimum
standards, BESE regulations, and all statutory requirements for the construction, design,
equipment, and operation of school buses. New law changes references to the national
groups and associations that have adopted the most recent revised minimum standards for
school buses.
New law provides that state laws and regulations relative to the construction, design,
equipment, and operation of school buses apply to charter schools. Further provides that
BESE rules and regulations relative to school bus specifications and inspection requirements,
operational procedures, and school bus operator and bus attendant pre-employment screening
and training requirements apply to charter schools.
Existing law prohibits a school bus operator from engaging in a call on a cellular radio
telecommunication device while driving a school bus. Provides exceptions in certain
emergency situations. Defines cellular radio telecommunication device. Specifies that
citizens band radios and citizens band radio hybrids are not cellular radio telecommunication
devices. New law adds that a device with a push-to-talk function used in a similar manner
as a citizens band radio is not a cellular radio telecommunication device.
Effective August 1, 2019.
(Amends R.S. 17:164 and R.S. 32:289(B); Adds R.S. 17:3996(A)(18), (19), and (20) and
(B)(54))