HB 446 — AN ACT relating to public school transportation.

UNOFFICIALCHAPTER COPY9 241 RSCHAPTER 9 ( HB 446/GA446 ) AN ACT relating to public school transportation.

Page 1 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA Section 2.

] That occurs on school premises, on school-sponsored transportation, or at a school-sponsoredschool- sponsored event;

or b.[2.]Thatb.[2.] That disrupts the education process;

and[.] 2.[(b)]2.[(b)]This This definition shall not be interpreted to prohibit civil exchange of opinions or debate or cultural practices protected under the state or federal Constitution where the opinion expressed does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the education process;

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (b) Statewide transportation services policy guidelines to ensure the safety of Page 2 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA students, operators of vehicles, and other passengers using district-provided transportation.

Page 3 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA (b) The superintendent, or designee, shall be responsible for overall implementation and supervision, and each school principal shall be responsible for administration and implementation within each school.

Page 4 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA from retaliation;

CHAPTER 9 3 (f) The principal of each school shall apply the code of acceptable behavior and discipline uniformly and fairly to each student at the school without partiality or discrimination.

The board shall establish a process for a two-way communication system for bus drivers and other employees, Page 5 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA volunteers, or contractors to notify a supervisor, superintendent, or other administrator of an emergency.

An appropriate district official located at a location designated in the transportation services policy or by an appropriate district official, including but not limited to a Page 6 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA bus compound or transfer station;

and Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY b.

and Page 7 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA 9.

(e) The policy shall include references to relevant criminal violations based on Page 8 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA potential misconduct covered by the policy, including but not limited to the following statements:

(f) The policy shall include a process for an operator of a vehicle, upon the reinstatement of a student's transportation privileges after an interim or final determination of disciplinary action, to elect to receive an alternate Page 9 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA route assignment in lieu of transporting the student.

CHAPTER 9 5 (g) The superintendent or designee of each district shall apply the transportation services policy uniformly and fairly to each student without partiality or discrimination.

(1) Each local school shall conduct[begin] an assessment of school safety and student discipline [during the 1998-19991998- school year ]including a review of the following:

Page 10 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA (f) The engagement of parents at the earliest stages of problem behavior;

(2) [By May 15, 1999, ]Each local school district shall complete a district-level assessment of district-level data, resources, policies and procedures, and district-district-wide wide needs as identified from the individual school assessment process.

Page 11 of 12 HB044610.100 - 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS HB 446/GA The process of planning shall be determined locally depending to a large extent on the size and characteristics of the district.

PageSigned 12by ofGovernor 12March HB044610.10022, -2024. 872 - XXXX 3/1/2024 10:27 AM GA

Legislative Research Commission PDF Version ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY