93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
HB6714

 

Introduced 02/09/04, by Sandra M. Pihos

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/10-20.39 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.30 new

    Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt a policy that prohibits a school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting students to or from school or a school-related function or activity from running on idle for more than 5 minutes while the bus is parked. Provides that the policy must require all diesel school buses (i) when in use, to be parked and loaded 100 feet from school air-intake systems, unless the school board deems alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective and (ii) when not in use, to be parked in a manner to reduce contamination of school bus cabins and school facilities from diesel engine exhaust fumes. Contains exceptions to these requirements. Requires the policy to provide for climate-controlled waiting areas for school bus drivers. Requires schools to send an annual notice to faculty, staff, and parents concerning the policy. Effective September 1, 2004.


LRB093 18974 LRD 47078 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB6714 LRB093 18974 LRD 47078 b

1     AN ACT regarding school buses.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
5 10-20.39 and 34-18.30 as follows:
 
6     (105 ILCS 5/10-20.39 new)
7     Sec. 10-20.39. School bus idling policy.
8     (a) Each school board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a
9 school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting
10 students to or from school or a school-related function or
11 activity from running on idle for more than 5 minutes while the
12 bus is parked. Notice of the policy must be sent annually to
13 all faculty, staff, and parents and must include a statement
14 that the purpose of the policy is to reduce exposure to
15 dangerous diesel emissions.
16     (b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be
17 parked and loaded 100 feet from school air-intake systems
18 unless the school board determines that alternative locations
19 block traffic, impair student safety, or are not
20 cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they
21 are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or
22 near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that
23 reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school
24 facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must
25 allow exceptions to these requirements when:
26         (1) the bus is loading and unloading children;
27         (2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the
28     bus;
29         (3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload
30     children with special needs;
31         (4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters,
32     heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary

 

 

HB6714 - 2 - LRB093 18974 LRD 47078 b

1     for safety or health considerations, unless the equipment
2     can be powered by the battery;
3         (5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or
4     warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the
5     battery; and
6         (6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or
7     emergency situation. The policy must also require all
8     schools to provide a climate-controlled waiting area for
9     school bus drivers in extreme cold and hot weather
10     situations.
 
11     (105 ILCS 5/34-18.30 new)
12     Sec. 34-18.30. School bus idling policy.
13     (a) The board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a school
14 bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting
15 students to or from school or a school-related function or
16 activity from running on idle for more than 5 minutes while the
17 bus is parked. Notice of the policy must be sent annually to
18 all faculty, staff, and parents and must include a statement
19 that the purpose of the policy is to reduce exposure to
20 dangerous diesel emissions.
21     (b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be
22 parked and loaded 100 feet from school air-intake systems
23 unless the school board determines that alternative locations
24 block traffic, impair student safety, or are not
25 cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they
26 are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or
27 near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that
28 reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school
29 facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must
30 allow exceptions to these requirements when:
31         (1) the bus is loading and unloading children;
32         (2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the
33     bus;
34         (3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload
35     children with special needs;

 

 

HB6714 - 3 - LRB093 18974 LRD 47078 b

1         (4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters,
2     heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary
3     for safety or health considerations, unless the equipment
4     can be powered by the battery;
5         (5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or
6     warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the
7     battery; and
8         (6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or
9     emergency situation. The policy must also require all
10     schools to provide a climate-controlled waiting area for
11     school bus drivers in extreme cold and hot weather
12     situations.
 
13     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect September
14 1, 2004.