SJ0017 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The transportation of elementary and secondary education students is an important public policy issue; and

WHEREAS, Whether or not a school district in Illinois may use a multi-function school activity bus for transportation is continually up for debate; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for accurate and consistent information regarding the legal and appropriate mode of transportation of students in grades K through 12 made available to administrators, educators, parents and transportation companies; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Task Force on Modes of School Transportation for Elementary and Secondary Education, consisting of the following:

(1) the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee, who shall serve as Chair of the Task Force;

(2) the Secretary of State or his or her designee;

(3) the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee;

(4) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(5) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(6) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(7) one member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(8) a representative of a statewide association representing school board members, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(9) a representative of an association representing private special education centers, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(10) a representative of a statewide association representing regional superintendents of schools, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(11) a representative of a statewide association representing teachers, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(12) a representative of a different statewide association representing teachers, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(13) a representative of an association representing teachers in a city with 500,000 or more inhabitants, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(14) a representative of an association representing private contractors providing school transportation, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(15) a representative of an association representing large unit school districts, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(16) a representative of a statewide association representing principals, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(17) a representative of a statewide association representing school administrators, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(18) a representative of an association representing school boards, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education; and

(19) a representative of an association representing suburban school districts, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall:

(1) conduct a thorough review of existing State and federal law regarding the use of the various modes to transport elementary and secondary education students;

(2) develop concise and consistent information to be considered for use by the State Board of Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Secretary of State to inform the public about the legal means by which elementary and secondary education students may be transported, including, but not limited to:

(A) the type of vehicle and the required equipment to transport elementary and secondary education students;

(B) the allowed purpose of the transportation and any other limits of transportation of elementary and secondary education students by vehicle type;

(C) the type of driver's license required to transport elementary and secondary education students; and

(D) the requirements for driver licensing and vehicle licensing and inspection; and

(3) make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the General Assembly regarding the safe transportation of elementary and secondary education students in our State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall seek input from stakeholders and members of the public on the issues to be reviewed and reported on by the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation, and the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet at the request of the Task Force Chair, but shall meet a minimum of 4 times prior to December 15, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall present its legislative and administrative recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 15, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be dissolved after submitting its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.