79R3544 JRJ-D

By:  Giddings                                                     H.B. No. 610



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of an offense of using a telephone while 
operating a school bus.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.425 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.425.  RULES RELATING TO SCHOOL BUSES.  An operator 
of a school bus may not use a telephone while operating the school 
bus unless:
		(1)  the school bus is stopped;                                        
		(2)  there are no passengers on the school bus; or                     
		(3)  the school bus cannot safely be stopped and the 
operator is reporting an emergency that affects:
			(A)  the proper functioning of the school bus; or                     
			(B)  the health or safety of any person, 
regardless of whether the person is on the school bus.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.