H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 7.57 of S.L. 2023-134 directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction (Superintendent) to establish the Enhanced School Bus Stop Arm Grant Program (Program) for the 2023-2024 fiscal year to administer funds to public school units to add, upgrade, or replace mechanical stop signals on school buses with either illuminated mechanical stop signals or extended mechanical stop signals to increase student safety. An application process must be developed with information on how to apply for the Program. The Superintendent must consider the type and number of stop signal additions, upgrades, or replacements the public school unit proposes to complete and the number of bus routes or stops that are known to pose safety risks.

The Superintendent must submit a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by April 15, 2024, with the following information:

• Which public school units received grants and in what amounts.
• Whether the public school unit purchased extended mechanical stop signals, illuminated mechanical stop signals, or both.
• Any outstanding needs including the amount to fulfill any remaining grant requests.
• Impact of the Program on student safety and any recommendations for additional school bus mechanical stop signal technology or implementation.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.