A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-67-520, RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS ON PUBLIC SCHOOL BUSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS WHO PROVIDE SUCH TRANSPORTATION HAVE A LEGITIMATE EDUCATIONAL INTEREST IN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BEHAVIOR OR HEALTH OF THE HANDICAPPED STUDENTS THAT COULD HAVE A HEALTH OR SAFETY IMPACT, AND MUST BE GIVEN SUMMARIES OF SUCH INFORMATION BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Impact
If enacted, this legislation would change the existing framework governing the confidentiality and sharing of sensitive health information among school personnel. By requiring school districts to disclose relevant health information to bus drivers, the bill addresses potential gaps in awareness that could lead to health risks during transport. This initiative could lead to a more informed and prepared transportation system for handicapped students, potentially reducing incidents related to misunderstandings of their needs and behaviors during transit.
Summary
House Bill 3167 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws, specifically Section 59-67-520, which pertains to the transportation of handicapped students on public school buses. The bill emphasizes that school bus drivers who transport handicapped students have a legitimate educational interest in the health and behavioral information of these students. This information is crucial as it can impact the safety and health of both the handicapped students and other passengers on the bus. Therefore, school districts are required to provide summaries of such information to bus drivers, which may help in creating a safer transport environment for all students involved.
Contention
Although the bill is intended to enhance student safety, it may raise concerns regarding privacy and the extent of information shared with school bus drivers. Critics might argue that such a requirement could infringe upon the privacy rights of students and their families by exposing sensitive health information. Balancing the need for safety with the assurance of confidentiality may be a point of contention among stakeholders, including educators, parents, and civil rights advocates. The bill's implementation could lead to discussions about what constitutes a 'legitimate educational interest' and how to adequately protect student privacy in practice.
Removes references to the electric school bus mandate; provides that there shall be no mandate requiring school districts to purchase, operate or maintain any certain type of school buses and that the superintendent of each school district shall have the sole authority to determine the types of school buses such school district will purchase, operate and maintain; repeals certain provisions of law relating to electric school buses.
Removes references to the electric school bus mandate; provides that there shall be no mandate requiring school districts to purchase, operate or maintain any certain type of school buses and that the superintendent of each school district shall have the sole authority to determine the types of school buses such school district will purchase, operate and maintain; repeals certain provisions of law relating to electric school buses.