2023 -- H 5221

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LC000505

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFERS'

LICENSES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Perez, Hull, Cardillo, Fellela, Corvese, Vella-Wilkinson,
J. Lombardi, and Noret

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2023

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-10-5.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators’

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and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-10-5.1. School bus driver annual training.

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     (a) The department of revenue shall promulgate any rules and regulations that it deems

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necessary to ensure that a ten-hour (10) training course is provided for all new school bus drivers

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and a three-hour (3) retraining course is provided to all renewal applicants for the first and second

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renewal of their license. After completing the retraining course for the second renewal of their

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license, licensees shall only be required to complete training courses every five (5) years thereafter

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on at least a yearly basis.

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     (b) The training shall include, but not be limited to, defensive driving, the National

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Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s School Bus Driver In-Service Series, and instruction in

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all state laws, rules, and regulations relating to school buses and school bus safety.

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     (c) Prior to any renewal of any certificate of a school bus driver, the division of motor

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vehicles shall require proof of the renewal applicant’s having successfully completed the annual

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retraining as provided in this section. Every ten (10) years that proof shall include the passing of a

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written examination prepared by the department of revenue, or the department of revenue’s

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designee, and conducted by employees of the department.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFERS'

LICENSES

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     This act would require training courses for bus drivers to renew their licenses in the first

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and second years following the issuance of their license. After the second year, licensees shall only

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be required to complete training courses every five (5) years thereafter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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