HB3685eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3685 Engrossed LRB094 09727 LJB 42267 b

AN ACT regarding school buses.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 10-20.40 and 34-18.32 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.40 new)

Sec. 10-20.40. School bus idling policy.

(a) Each school board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting students to or from school or a school-related function or activity from running on idle for more than 10 minutes while the bus is parked.

The policy shall not apply when the ambient air temperature is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit.

(b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake systems unless the school board determines that alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must allow exceptions to these requirements when:

(1) the bus is loading and unloading children;

(2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the bus;

(3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload children with special needs;

(4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary for safety or health considerations of passengers, unless the equipment can be powered by the battery;

(5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the battery; and

(6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or emergency situation.

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.32 new)

Sec. 34-18.32. School bus idling policy.

(a) The board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting students to or from school or a school-related function or activity from running on idle for more than 10 minutes while the bus is parked.

The policy shall not apply when the ambient air temperature is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit.

(b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake systems unless the school board determines that alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must allow exceptions to these requirements when:

(1) the bus is loading and unloading children;

(2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the bus;

(3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload children with special needs;

(4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary for safety or health considerations of passengers, unless the equipment can be powered by the battery;

(5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the battery; and

(6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or emergency situation.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.