CCS/SB 315 - This acts contains several changes pertaining to school bus operation.

CROSSING CONTROL ARMS - School buses in the public school system are required to have a crossing control arm mounted on the front bumper if the bus has an engine in front of the windshield. The bus must be over 10,000 pounds and must be used to transport school children. The requirement will be enforced through the August school bus inspection. This requirement is termed "Jessica's Law".

BUS OPERATION - Local school districts shall decide whether drivers of a school bus may stop on the shoulder of a four-lane, divided highway to load or unload students without activating the signal for other drivers to stop. A sight distance of at least 500 feet is required to stop a school bus on a highway with no shoulder and a speed limit of over 60 mph.

This act becomes effective on July 1, 1998.

MIKE HOEFERKAMP