Assigned to TRANS                                                                           FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2181

 

suspended driver license enforcement

(NOW:  school bus drivers; requirements)

 

Purpose

 

Updates statutory language pertaining to the use of fingerprints by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in obtaining a criminal records check for any person applying for a school bus driver certificate.

 

Background

 

Legislation adopted in 1985 detailed the requirements for obtaining certification to operate a school bus in Arizona (Laws 1985, Chapter 246). In order for a person to become a certified bus driver, the law requires that the person demonstrate good moral character, complete courses on school bus driver safety and behind the wheel training and provide a set of fingerprints to DPS for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information.

 

According to DPS, current Arizona statute does not comply with federal standards for criminal records checks.  DPS reports that the current language terminology is simply outdated.  This legislation is in response to a request made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for DPS to update current statutory language pertaining to criminal record checks for persons applying for school bus driver certification.

 

There is no fiscal impact to the general fund associated with this legislation.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Requires an applicant for a school bus driver certificate to submit to DPS a full set of fingerprints for DPS to obtain a state and federal criminal records check.  Currently, DPS requires applicants to furnish fingerprints to obtain criminal history record information.

 

2.      Allows DPS to exchange fingerprint information with the FBI.

 

3.      Allows a school bus operator to use discretion in using alternately flashing lights any time before reaching the mandatory 100 foot mark that is required prior to a bus stop.

 

4.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

5.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

 

 

Amendments Adopted by Transportation Committee

 

            Gives the operator of a school bus the ability to decide to use alternately flashing signal lights prior to reaching the 100 foot mark that is required to make a stop.

 

House Action                                                               Senate Action

 

TRANS      2/26/01     DPA/SE           10-0-0             TRANS           3/22/01            DPA    7-0-0-1

3rd Read      3/06/01     DPA/SE           58-0-2                        

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 23, 2001