BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 643
78S50039 SLO-D By: Lucio
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The use of safety belts can help prevent injury to school bus passengers in the event of an automobile accident. Seat belts in buses can provide extra protection to students, especially in bus accidents involving side impact or roll over collisions. With nothing restraining students in their seats, students can be thrown around the inside of the bus, collide with hard surfaces, or be ejected from the bus. This safety measure will help keep students in their seats and protect them from injury.
As proposed, S.B. 643 enables school boards to seek private funding to place safety belts in public school buses. This bill allows a person to donate safety belts or money for the purchase of safety belts for a school district's buses at the discretion of the school board. If the donation is accepted, the board may acknowledge the donation by recognizing the person who made the donation. The purpose of this legislation is to enhance the safety of students on school buses and prevent injury.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 34, Education Code, by adding Section 34.012, as follows:
Sec. 34.012. FUNDING FOR SAFETY OR LAP BELTS. (a) Authorizes a person to offer to donate safety or lap belts or money for the purchase of safety or lap belts for the purchase of safety or lap belts for a school district's buses.
(b) Requires the board of trustees of a school district to consider any offer made by a person under Subsection (a). Authorizes the board of trustees to accept or decline the offer after adequate consideration.
(c) Authorizes the board of trustees to acknowledge a person who donates safety or lap belts or money for the purchase of safety or lap belts for a school bus under this section by displaying a small, discreet sign on the side or back of the bus recognizing the person who made the donation. Prohibits the sign from serving as an advertisement for the person who made the donation.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after adjournment.