Bill > H2982

This bill aims to enhance school bus safety by strengthening the requirements for school bus driver licensing and prohibiting certain individuals from transporting students. Specifically, it prevents individuals who are registered sex offenders, have been convicted of certain drug offenses, or have multiple convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the preceding 15 years from driving school buses or vocational school students. The bill also clarifies that individuals who have had cases disposed of under specific programs related to these offenses will be considered as having been convicted for the purposes of these new restrictions. Furthermore, it mandates the immediate suspension and eventual revocation of licenses and instructor certificates for any licensee or instructor charged with or convicted of driving under the influence offenses. The registrar of motor vehicles, responsible for licensing, is empowered to create necessary rules and regulations to implement these changes, and the timeframe for certain prohibitions is extended from five to fifteen years.