A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require driver instruction on the emergency notification system for railroad train emergencies.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑88.1(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	The Division shall prepare a driver license handbook that explains the traffic laws of the State and shall periodically revise the handbook to reflect changes in these laws. The driver license handbook shall include at least the following information:
(1)	A description of law enforcement procedures during traffic stops and the actions that a motorist should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers, developed by the Division in consultation with the State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.
(2)	A description of procedures for using the Emergency Notification System (ENS) phone number for stopping a railroad train at a railroad crossing in the following situations:
a.	If there is suspicious activity around the railroad track.
b.	In the event of an obstruction or vehicle stuck on the railroad tracks.
c.	If railroad track gates are malfunctioning.
At the request of the Department of Public Instruction, the Division shall provide free copies of the handbook to that Department for use in the program of driver education offered at public high schools."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 115C‑215(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The driver education curriculum shall include the following:
(1)	Instruction on the rights and privileges of the handicapped and the signs and symbols used to assist the handicapped relative to motor vehicles, including the "international symbol of accessibility" and other symbols and devices as provided in Article 2A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.
(2)	At least six hours of instruction on the offense of driving while impaired and related subjects.
(3)	At least six hours of actual driving experience. To the extent practicable, this experience may include at least one hour of instruction on the techniques of defensive driving.
(4)	At least one hour of motorcycle safety awareness training.
(5)	Instruction on law enforcement procedures for traffic stops that is developed in consultation with the State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. The instruction shall provide a description of the actions that a motorist should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers.
(6)	Instruction on procedures for using the Emergency Notification System (ENS) phone number for stopping a railroad train at a railroad crossing in the following situations:
a.	If there is suspicious activity around the railroad track.
b.	In the event of an obstruction or vehicle stuck on the railroad tracks.
c.	If railroad track gates are malfunctioning."
SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective January 1, 2022. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2021‑2022 school year.