EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0283*
HOUSE BILL 283
R5 2lr1361
HB 87/21 – ENT CF 2lr1362
By: Delegate D. Jones
Introduced and read first time: January 17, 2022
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – School Bus Safety – Occupant Capacity 2
FOR the purpose of requiring that a school bus be routed with the intent that the number 3
of pupils on the bus does not exceed the manufacturer’s rated seating capacity for 4
the bus; requiring that, if an emergency or temporary situation causes the number 5
of pupils to exceed the rated seating capacity, the situation be corrected within a 6
reasonable period of time; and generally relating to school bus safety. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Transportation 9
Section 21–1118(a) and (b) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Transportation 14
Section 21–1118(c) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Transportation 20
21–1118. 21
(a) The driver of a school bus: 22
(1) Is responsible for its operation; and 23
2 HOUSE BILL 283
(2) May not drive it into any roadway wi thout first stopping and 1
determining that there is no danger from any other vehicle. 2
(b) The person responsible for any pupils on a school bus is: 3
(1) The teacher on the bus; or 4
(2) If a teacher is not present, the driver. 5
(c) (1) A SCHOOL BUS SHALL BE ROUTED WITH THE INTENT THAT THE 6
NUMBER OF PUPILS ON THE BUS DOES NOT EXC EED THE MANUFACTURER ’S RATED 7
SEATING CAPACITY FOR THE BUS. 8
(2) IF AN EMERGENCY OR OT HER TEMPORARY SITUAT ION CAUSES 9
THE NUMBER OF PUPILS ON A SCHOOL BUS TO E XCEED THE SEATIN G CAPACITY OF 10
THE BUS, THE SITUATION SHALL BE CORRECTED WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF 11
TIME. 12
(3) A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not permit the 13
number of standing pupils to exceed one pupil for each part of the aisle that is bounded on 14
both sides by forward facing seats. 15
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 16
1, 2022. 17