81R14082 EAH-D
 
  By: Bonnen, Patrick, Laubenberg, Branch, Orr, H.B. No. 374
      et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to school bus emergency evacuation training.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 34.0021, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (c-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Pursuant to the safety standards established by the
  Department of Public Safety under Section 34.002, each school
  district may [shall] conduct a training session for students and
  teachers concerning procedures for evacuating a school bus during
  an emergency.
         (b)  A school district that chooses to conduct a training
  session under Subsection (a) is encouraged to [shall] conduct the
  school bus emergency evacuation training session [at least twice
  each school year, with one training session occurring] in the fall
  of the school year [and one training session occurring in the
  spring].  The school district is also encouraged to structure the
  training session so that a [A] portion of the [training] session
  occurs [must occur] on a school bus and the [training] session lasts 
  [must last] for at least one hour.
         (c-1)  Immediately before each field trip involving
  transportation by school bus, a school district is encouraged to
  review school bus emergency evacuation procedures with the school
  bus passengers, including a demonstration of the school bus
  emergency exits and the safe manner to exit.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 34.0021(d) and (e), Education Code, are
  repealed.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.