July 30, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
A new state law has taken effect which requires school districts to post notices on school buses warning that unauthorized persons may not board.
The law further requires the training standards for school bus drivers established by the state departments of education and safety to include procedures concerning persons improperly on school buses; and requires student transportation management training for transportation supervisors appointed by local LEAs, charter schools, and charter management organizations to include procedures concerning persons improperly on school buses.
“No one is allowed on a school bus unless authorized by law enforcement or faculty of the school, “said Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins.
“For example, if a bus is in an accident where the kids have to stay on the bus until law enforcement arrives, a parent cannot get on the bus to remove their child. The new law is intended to keep our kids safe,” said Chief Collins.
The law as adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the governor is as follows:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2008, is amended by adding the following as a new subsection:
( ) In order to maintain safety on school buses, each LEA shall post a notice in a conspicuous place on each school bus in operation by the LEA to notify others that no person shall enter onto school buses except for those authorized pursuant to subsection
(a). The notice must include appropriate contact information in case of an issue on the school bus.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2107(g), is amended by adding “procedures concerning persons improperly on school buses pursuant to § 49-6-2008,” after “mirror usage,”.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2116(b), is amended by adding the following to the end of the subsection:
The annual training and management training program must include procedures concerning persons improperly on school buses pursuant to § 49-6-2008.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect July 1, 2024, the public welfare requiring it.