81R3270 EAH-F

By: Carona S.B. No. 356

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the frequency and content of 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), (b), and (d) 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 shall conduct a training session for school bus passengers [students and teachers] concerning procedures for evacuating a school bus during an emergency.

(b) A school district shall conduct a [the] school bus emergency evacuation training session [at least twice each school year, with one training session occurring] in the fall of each school year [and one training session occurring in the spring]. A portion of the training session must occur on a school bus and the training session must last for at least one hour.

(c-1) Immediately before each field trip involving transportation by school bus, a school district shall 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.

(d) Not later than the 30th day after the date that a school district completes the [a] training session required by Subsection (b), the district shall provide the Department of Public Safety with a record certifying the district's completion of the training.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.

SECTION 3. 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.