THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY BREWSTER, FONTANA, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, SOLOBAY, COSTA AND WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 14, 2011

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 14, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in pupils and attendance, further

providing for when transportation of pupils provided.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1361(3) of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,

amended May 11, 1979 (P.L.26, No.7), is amended and the section

is amended by adding a paragraph to read:

Section 1361.  When Provided.--* * *

(3)  The State Board of Education shall adopt regulations[,

including qualifications of school bus drivers,] to govern the

transportation of school pupils. The regulations shall include:

(i)  Qualifications of school bus drivers.

(ii)  Uniform standards and protocols to be followed by a

school bus driver or the driver of any other vehicle

transporting pupils under a contract with or employed by a

school district to ensure the safe transportation of each pupil.

At a minimum, the uniform standards and protocols shall:

(A)  Require each driver to visually inspect the driver's

school bus or vehicle at the conclusion of the driver's route to

ensure that no pupils remain on the school bus or in the

vehicle.

(B)  Provide for the safe delivery of any pupil discovered

during the inspection required under clause (A).

(4)  Regulations adopted under paragraph (3) shall not apply

to the transportation of pupils by means of mass transit or

other common carriers.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.