SB 1113 - This act establishes provisions regarding mandatory driver's education and training.DRIVERS EDUCATION IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS (Sections 170.023 and 170.026)
This act requires each public high school, including each charter high school, to offer an approved driver's education course, taught by a qualified instructor, to students each school year. A student who successfully completes the course shall receive 1/2 credit as an elective and the course is not required to graduate from high school. The student shall receive a certificate of completion and the school shall submit the student's name to the Department of Revenue.
The act requires the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to establish a driver's education curriculum certification process for public schools required to offer the driver's education course before August 1, 2023. Upon certification by the Commission each public high school's driver's education program shall be placed on the Commission's approved driver's education list and submitted to the Department of Revenue. The State Board of Education in consultation with the Department of Transportation shall establish the rules to implement these provisions.
MANDATORY DRIVER'S EDUCATION AND TRAINING (Sections 302.171, 302.212, and 302.214)
Beginning January 1, 2024, if an applicant for a driver's license has never held a license issued by the State of Missouri or any other state or territory of the United States or a foreign country, the applicant must successfully complete a driver's education program approved by the Commission, as specified in the act.
The Department of Transportation shall enter into agreements with public or private institutions or organizations to provide driver's education programs free of charge to anyone who has never held a driver's license. The Commission shall establish a process for certification and approval of private driver's education programs and instructors, before August 1, 2023. Upon certification by the Commission, a driver's education program shall be placed on the approved driver's education list compiled by the Commission and submitted to the Department of Revenue.
DRIVERS EDUCATION TRAINING FUND (Section 302.216)
The act creates the "Driver's Education Training Fund", which is funded by appropriations of the General Assembly, federal grants, private donations, and any moneys designated for the driver's education training programs established under the act.
This act shall sunset on August 28, 2028, unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. (Section 302.218).
This act is similar to HB 1516 (2022) and HB 534 (2017).
ERIC VANDER WEERD