94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB3685

 

Introduced 2/24/2005, by Rep. Dave Winters

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/10-20.40 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.32 new

    Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to 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. Provides that the policy does not apply when the ambient air temperature is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit. Provides that the policy must require all diesel school buses (i) when in use, to be parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake systems, unless the school board deems alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not cost-effective and (ii) when not in use, to be parked in a manner to reduce contamination of school bus cabins and school facilities from diesel engine exhaust fumes. Contains exceptions to these requirements. Requires the policy to provide for climate-controlled waiting areas for school bus drivers. Requires schools to send an annual notice to faculty, staff, and parents concerning the policy. Effective September 1, 2005.


LRB094 09727 LJB 42267 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3685 LRB094 09727 LJB 42267 b

1     AN ACT regarding school buses.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
5 10-20.40 and 34-18.32 as follows:
 
6     (105 ILCS 5/10-20.40 new)
7     Sec. 10-20.40. School bus idling policy.
8     (a) Each school board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a
9 school bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting
10 students to or from school or a school-related function or
11 activity from running on idle for more than 10 minutes while
12 the bus is parked. Notice of the policy must be sent annually
13 to all faculty, staff, and parents and must include a statement
14 that the purpose of the policy is to reduce exposure to
15 dangerous diesel emissions.
16     The policy shall not apply when the ambient air temperature
17 is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit.
18     (b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be
19 parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake
20 systems unless the school board determines that alternative
21 locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not
22 cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they
23 are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or
24 near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that
25 reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school
26 facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must
27 allow exceptions to these requirements when:
28         (1) the bus is loading and unloading children;
29         (2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the
30     bus;
31         (3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload
32     children with special needs;

 

 

HB3685 - 2 - LRB094 09727 LJB 42267 b

1         (4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters,
2     heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary
3     for safety or health considerations, unless the equipment
4     can be powered by the battery;
5         (5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or
6     warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the
7     battery; and
8         (6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or
9     emergency situation.
10     The policy must also require all schools to provide a
11 climate-controlled waiting area for school bus drivers in
12 extreme cold and hot weather situations.
 
13     (105 ILCS 5/34-18.32 new)
14     Sec. 34-18.32. School bus idling policy.
15     (a) The board shall adopt a policy that prohibits a school
16 bus that is in operation for the purpose of transporting
17 students to or from school or a school-related function or
18 activity from running on idle for more than 10 minutes while
19 the bus is parked. Notice of the policy must be sent annually
20 to all faculty, staff, and parents and must include a statement
21 that the purpose of the policy is to reduce exposure to
22 dangerous diesel emissions.
23     The policy shall not apply when the ambient air temperature
24 is less than 0 degrees fahrenheit.
25     (b) The policy must require all diesel school buses to be
26 parked and loaded at least 100 feet from school air-intake
27 systems unless the school board determines that alternative
28 locations block traffic, impair student safety, or are not
29 cost-effective. The policy must also require that, when they
30 are not in use, all diesel school buses on school property or
31 near school air-intake systems must be parked in a manner that
32 reduces contamination of school bus cabins and school
33 facilities by diesel engine exhaust fumes. The policy must
34 allow exceptions to these requirements when:
35         (1) the bus is loading and unloading children;

 

 

HB3685 - 3 - LRB094 09727 LJB 42267 b

1         (2) maintenance or repairs are being conducted on the
2     bus;
3         (3) lift equipment is being used to load and unload
4     children with special needs;
5         (4) the bus is running in order to power defrosters,
6     heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment necessary
7     for safety or health considerations, unless the equipment
8     can be powered by the battery;
9         (5) the bus is running in order to power headlights or
10     warning lights, unless the lights can be powered by the
11     battery; and
12         (6) the bus is running due to a traffic, safety, or
13     emergency situation.
14     The policy must also require all schools to provide a
15 climate-controlled waiting area for school bus drivers in
16 extreme cold and hot weather situations.
 
17     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect September
18 1, 2005.