FRANKFORT, Ky. — Some Kentucky lawmakers want to change how student behavior is dealt with on the school bus. They plan to address it with a new set of statewide guidelines for how they should act. This is what’s been included in House Bill 446.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 446 addresses student behavior on busses

  • It would create a statewide standard for what is and isn’t acceptable behavior

  • Students and their parent or guardian would be required to sign a document acknowledging these standards

  • The bill also includes criminal charges for parents who threatens or harms a bus driver

“So the purpose of this bill is to make sure that our bus drivers are heard, protected and respected, and that our children are transported in a safe environment,” Bill sponsor State Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, said.

HB 446 would lay out what is and isn’t allowed to happen when coming to and from school. Districts would have to create that policy by the beginning of the next school year. Callaway says this is to address issues raised by some bus drivers, including increased disruptions by students.

The bill would require both a student and their parent or guardian to sign a document laying out behavior expectations for riding the bus within seven school days of the semester starting.

That document would also list consequences for parents who harm or attempt to harm a bus driver, including criminal charges.

“This will be taken seriously,” Callaway explained. “So these KRS statutes will be put in the parent, guardian’s face so that they understand what kind of agreement that they’re entering into and what they will be held accountable for.”

Callaway believes this bill will help curb bad behavior and improve driver retention. 

“To let the drivers know that they have been heard and that we are actively working to make sure that the environment will be better,” Callaway said.

The bill would require students of all ages to sign the transportation agreement. During the committee meeting, State Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, expressed concerns about this. 

“I don’t think it gives us anything meaningful to have the kindergartner agree to something that they can’t understand,” Bojanowski stated.

“I think it gives the parent or guardian an opportunity to remind the student of what it means, what a signature means and what it means to ride a bus and the privilege of riding a bus and what behavior is expected,” Callaway replied.

HB 446 passed favorably through committee. Bojanowski and her fellow Democrats elected to pass. All Republicans voted yes. While votes on this bill were split along party lines — two Louisville Democrats have co-sponsored this measure. It now goes to the full house for a vote.

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