Councilman Kevin P. Chavous
A BILL IN THE
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To require the certification of drivers employed to transport District of Columbia
Public School System students and a uniform method for reporting accidents involving
school buses, and to establish a School Bus Accident Review Board.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "Safe School Bus Act of 1999".
Sec. 2. District of Columbia Public School ("DCPS") bus
drivers shall be certified before being allowed to operate a District of Columbia Public
School Bus. Certification may be granted upon the presentation or review and scrutiny of
these documents:
(1) An original Physical Examination Report from a certified doctor;
(2) Negative drug test results taken within thirty (30) days before being properly
certified;
(3) A report from the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which is void of improper
citations;
(4) Metropolitan Police Department ("MPD") background check;
(5) Federal Bureau of Investigations background check;
(6) Three character references;
(7) Driving record from previous states where licensed to drive;
(8) Fingerprints;
(9) Commercial Driver’s License;
(10) School Bus Operator’s Permit;
(11) Individual Assessments; and
(12) other requirements from MPD, Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV"), and
DCPS.
Sec. 3. DCPS bus drivers involved in an accident while driving a DCPS
bus shall immediately call the MPD and file a report in compliance with MPD regulations .
The DCPS shall be provided and maintain a copy of the accident report. Additionally, the
DCPS shall keep available, an accident report for access by the public, which shall
include the following:
(1) The description of each accident;
(2) Whether the accident involved a DCPS drivers or a driver for a contractor;
(3) Whether the accident was a result of the school bus driver or a third party;
(4) The property damage of the vehicles involved in the accident; and
(5) The physical injuries sustained in the accident.
Sec. 4. There shall be established, within the DCPS, a "School
Bus Accident Review Board (‘Board’)" which will consist of the following 3 persons:
(1) The director of DCPS Transportation Division;
(2) A representative of the Metropolitan Police Department; and
(3) A representative from the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.
Sec. 5. The Board shall meet not less than once per month from
September through June. The Boards responsibilities shall include the following:
(1) The review of all school bus accidents; and
(2) The preparation of monthly reports to the Superintendent; the Board of Education; and
the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation,
which shall include recommendations regarding personnel involved in accidents.
Sec. 5. [Sic] This legislation shall not relieve a bus driver
from complying with requirements of the Department of Motor Vehicles and D.C. Municipal
Regulations.
Sec. 6. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or
in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council of the District of Columbia to
override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance
Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial
Responsibility and Management Authority Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 1
16; D.C. Code §47-392.3(c)), and a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in
section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Self Government and Government
Reorganization Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1), and
publication in the District in Columbia Register.