SB2334 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 14072 DRH 42732 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2334

Introduced 1/28/2004, by Christine Radogno - Jacqueline Y. Collins - Lawrence M. Walsh - Iris Y. Martinez, Edward D. Maloney, et al.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/12-810.1 new

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2006, a school bus may not be operated or used as a school bus within this State unless the school bus is equipped with a post-trip inspection reminder system that alerts the driver or attendant that a passenger remains on the bus and that prevents the driver or attendant from leaving the bus while the passenger remains on the bus. Provides that a school bus manufactured on or after January 1, 2005 may not be used as a school bus unless it is equipped with the reminder system. Provides that the provision does not apply to out-of-state school buses operating temporarily in Illinois for specified purposes. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall adopt rules for implementing the provision. Effective July 1, 2004.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning vehicles.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding Section 12-810.1 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/12-810.1 new)

Sec. 12-810.1. Post-trip inspection reminder system for school buses.

(a) On and after January 1, 2006, a school bus may not be operated or used as a school bus within this State unless that bus is equipped with a post-trip inspection reminder system. The purpose of the system is to ensure that the driver is the last person leaving the bus and that no passenger is left behind or remains on the vehicle at the end of a work shift or the work day. The system shall, at a minimum, require:

(1) the school bus driver to walk to the rear of the bus to deactivate the system before the driver leaves the bus;

(2) that when the driver turns off the vehicle's ignition system, the vehicle's interior lights must illuminate to assist the driver in seeing in and under the seats during a visual sweep of the bus; and

(3) that an alarm will sound if the vehicle's ignition system is turned off and the driver opens a door and attempts to exit the bus without first deactivating the system.

(b) A school bus manufactured on or after January 1, 2005 may not be sold, purchased, or operated or used as a school bus within this State unless that bus is equipped with a post-trip inspection reminder system as provided in subsection (a).

(c) This Section does not apply to the temporary operation in this State of a school bus that is legally registered in another state and is displaying valid registration plates of that state if (i) the bus is not operated in Illinois on a regular basis, and (ii) the bus is being operated in Illinois in connection with a cultural, tourist, athletic, or similar activity that is sponsored by one or more schools located outside of Illinois for the benefit of their enrolled students who are being transported to or from that activity.

(d) The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules for implementing this Section.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2004.