2004 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1323 – School bus driver, diabetes, waiver

SENATE BILL NO. 1323

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Bill Status



S1323aaH.......................................................by EDUCATION
SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS - Amends existing law relating to school bus drivers to
provide that the State Department of Education may issue a medical waiver
to individuals with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus if the department
determines that an applicant has met the requirements as specified; and to
require the department to promulgate rules as necessary to implement the
provisions for determining eligibility and issuing such waivers.
                                                                        
02/16    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/17    Rpt prt - to Educ
02/23    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
02/24    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
02/27    3rd rdg - PASSED - 26-7-2
      AYES -- Andreason, Bailey, Bunderson, Burkett, Burtenshaw, Compton,
      Darrington, Gannon, Goedde, Ingram, Kennedy, Keough, Little, Lodge,
      Malepeai, Marley, McKenzie, McWilliams, Noble, Noh, Richardson,
      Schroeder, Sorensen, Stegner, Stennett, Werk
      NAYS -- Brandt, Calabretta, Cameron, Davis, Geddes, Pearce, Sweet
      Absent and excused -- Hill, Williams
    Floor Sponsor - Gannon
    Title apvd - to House
03/01    House intro - 1st rdg - to Educ
03/12    Rpt out - to Gen Ord
03/16    Rpt out amen - to 1st rdg as amen
03/17    1st rdg - to 2nd rdg as amen
03/18    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg as amen
03/19    3rd rdg as amen - PASSED - 64-0-6
      AYES -- Andersen, Barraclough, Barrett, Bayer, Bell, Black, Block,
      Boe, Bolz, Bradford, Campbell, Cannon, Clark, Collins, Crow, Cuddy,
      Deal, Denney, Douglas, Eberle, Edmunson, Ellsworth, Eskridge,
      Field(18), Field(23), Gagner, Garrett, Harwood, Henbest, Jaquet,
      Jones, Kulczyk, Lake, Langford, Langhorst, Martinez, McGeachin,
      McKague, Meyer, Miller, Mitchell, Naccarato, Nielsen, Pasley-Stuart,
      Raybould, Ridinger, Ring, Ringo, Robison, Rydalch, Sali, Sayler,
      Schaefer, Shepherd, Shirley, Skippen, Smith(30), Smith(24), Smylie,
      Snodgrass, Stevenson, Wills, Wood, Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- Bauer, Bedke, Kellogg, Moyle, Roberts, Trail
    Floor Sponsor - Jones
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/19    Senate concurred in House amens - to engros
03/20    Rpt engros - 1st rdg - to 2nd rdg as amen
    Rls susp - PASSED - 32-0-3
      AYES -- Andreason, Bailey, Brandt, Bunderson, Burkett(Maxand),
      Calabretta, Cameron, Compton, Darrington, Davis, Gannon, Geddes,
      Goedde, Hill, Ingram, Kennedy, Keough, Little, Lodge, Marley,
      McKenzie, McWilliams, Noh, Pearce, Richardson, Schroeder, Sorensen,
      Stegner, Stennett, Sweet, Werk, Williams
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- Burtenshaw, Malepeai, Noble
    Floor Sponsor - Gannon
    Title apvd - To enrol - Rpt enrol - Pres signed
03/22    Sp signed - To Governor
03/23    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 218
         Effective: 07/01/04

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-seventh Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 2004
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1323
                                                                        
                                   BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS;  AMENDING  SECTION  33-1509,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO
  3        DELETE  PROVISIONS WHICH ALLOW A MEDICAL WAIVER FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INSU-
  4        LIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS.
                                                                        
  5    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
  6        SECTION 1.  That Section 33-1509, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
  7    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
  8        33-1509.  SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS -- DEFINITION -- QUALIFICATION -- DUTIES. For
  9    the purpose of this chapter the term "school bus driver" shall mean any person
 10    who at any time is operating a school bus while transporting pupils to or from
 11    school, or to or from approved school activities.
 12        A board of trustees shall employ school bus drivers only upon prior appli-
 13    cation  in  writing and the board shall require of school bus drivers employed
 14    by others who transport pupils of their  district  under  contract,  the  same
 15    information  required in such written application. Each application shall con-
 16    tain at least the minimum information specified by  the  state  department  of
 17    education.
 18        Any  person employed as a school bus driver shall be over the age of eigh-
 19    teen (18) years, be of good moral character and not addicted  to  the  use  of
 20    intoxicants  or narcotics. School bus drivers shall be subject to the physical
 21    examination standards of the federal motor carrier  safety  regulations.  Pro-
 22    vided  however, that individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, who
 23    are otherwise medically qualified under the physical examination standards  of
 24    the  federal  motor  carrier safety regulations, may request a waiver for this
 25    condition and, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be issued a  school
 26    bus  driver's  permit for intrastate transport of pupils to or from school, or
 27    to or from approved school activities. Applicants for a waiver under this sec-
 28    tion shall provide all information and accompanying documentation as  required
 29    on  a form approved by the state department of education. Before entering upon
 30    his duties, each school bus driver shall file with the  board  of  trustees  a
 31    current  health  certificate. and, if applicable, a waiver request pursuant to
 32    this section with all required  information  and  accompanying  documentation.
 33    Subsequent  health  certificates shall be filed with the frequency required by
 34    the federal motor carrier safety regulations.  School  bus  drivers  shall  be
 35    physically able to perform all job-related duties.
 36        Each  school bus driver shall at all times possess a valid and appropriate
 37    commercial driver's license, including endorsements as  specified  in  section
 38    49-105,  Idaho  Code., and a school bus driver's permit issued by the board of
 39    trustees and, if applicable, a waiver for insulin-dependent diabetes  mellitus
 40    issued  by the board of trustees. The school bus driver's permit shall be in a
 41    form approved by the state department of education and shall be carried on the
 42    school bus driver's person or be  exhibited  in  full  view  when  the  holder
 43    thereof is operating any school bus with pupils therein.
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1        The  board  of  trustees  may  for  cause, and after a hearing, revoke any
  2    school bus driver's permit or waiver for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
  3        Each school bus driver shall maintain such route books and  other  records
  4    as  may  be  required  by the state department of education or by the board of
  5    trustees of the school district. The school bus driver shall report any  pupil
  6    whose  behavior  is  such as may endanger the operation of the vehicle, or who
  7    damages the same or any part thereof, or whose language is obscene.
  8        It shall be the duty of each school bus driver to report any condition on,
  9    or bordering, his route which constitutes a hazard to the safety of the pupils
 10    being transported.

Amendment


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-seventh Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 2004
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                     Moved by    Jones               
                                                                        
                                                     Seconded by Ellsworth           
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                              HOUSE AMENDMENT TO S.B. NO. 1323
                                                                        
                                                                        
  1                               AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1
  2        On page 1 of the printed bill, delete lines 20 through 25 and insert:
  3    "intoxicants or narcotics. School bus drivers shall be  subject  to  meet  the
  4    physical  examination  standards  of  the federal motor carrier safety regula-
  5    tions. Provided however, that  individuals  with  insulin  dependent  diabetes
  6    mellitus, who are otherwise medically qualified under the physical examination
  7    standards  of  the  federal  motor  carrier  safety regulations, may request a
  8    waiver for this condition and, in the discretion of the board of trustees,  be
  9    issued  a  school"; in line 29, following "education." insert: "from the state
 10    department of education. If the applicant meets the requirements as  specified
 11    in  subsections  (1) through (7) of this section, the department shall grant a
 12    waiver. The department shall notify each applicant and  each  affected  school
 13    district  of  its determination of eligibility with regard to each application
 14    for a waiver. An applicant shall:
 15        (1)  Document that he has  no  other  disqualifying  conditions  including
 16    diabetes-related complications;
 17        (2)  Document  that he has had no recurring, two (2) or more, hypoglycemic
 18    reactions resulting in a loss of consciousness or seizure within the past five
 19    (5) years. A period of one (1) year of demonstrated stability is required fol-
 20    lowing the first episode of hypoglycemia;
 21        (3)  Document that he has had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions  requir-
 22    ing  the assistance of another person within the past five (5) years. A period
 23    of one (1) year of demonstrated stability is required following the first epi-
 24    sode of hypoglycemia;
 25        (4)  Document that he has had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions  result-
 26    ing  in  impaired  cognitive  function  that occurred without warning symptoms
 27    within the past five (5) years. A period of one (1) year of demonstrated  sta-
 28    bility is required following the first episode of hypoglycemia;
 29        (5)  Document  that  he  has  been examined by a board-certified or board-
 30    eligible endocrinologist who has conducted a complete medical examination. The
 31    complete medical examination shall consist of a  comprehensive  evaluation  of
 32    the applicant's medical history and current status with a report including the
 33    following information:
 34        (a)  The date insulin use began;
 35        (b)  Diabetes diagnosis and disease history;
 36        (c)  Hospitalization records;
 37        (d)  Consultation notes for diagnostic examinations;
 38        (e)  Special studies pertaining to the diabetes;
 39        (f)  Follow-up reports;
 40        (g)  Reports  of  any  hypoglycemic insulin reactions within the last five
 41        (5) years;
 42        (h)  Two (2) measures of glycosylated hemoglobin, the  first  ninety  (90)
 43        days before the last and current measure;
                                                                        
                                          2
                                                                        
  1        (i)  Insulin dosages and types, diet utilized for control and any signifi-
  2        cant  factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and other medications or drugs
  3        taken; and
  4        (j)  Examinations to  detect  any  peripheral  neuropathy  or  circulatory
  5        insufficiency of the extremities;
  6        (6)  Submit  a signed statement from an examining endocrinologist indicat-
  7    ing the following medical determinations:
  8        (a)  The endocrinologist is familiar with the applicant's medical  history
  9        for  the  past  five  (5) years, either through actual treatment over that
 10        time or through consultation with a physician who has treated  the  appli-
 11        cant during that time;
 12        (b)  The applicant has been educated in diabetes and its management, thor-
 13        oughly  informed  of and understands the procedures which must be followed
 14        to monitor and manage the applicant's diabetes and what procedures  should
 15        be followed if complications arise; and
 16        (c)  The  applicant  has  the  ability and has demonstrated willingness to
 17        properly monitor and manage the applicant's diabetes; and
 18        (7)  Submit a separate signed statement from an ophthalmologist or optome-
 19    trist that the applicant has been examined and that  the  applicant  does  not
 20    have   diabetic   retinopathy   and  meets  the  vision  standard  in  49  CFR
 21    391.41(b)(10), or has been issued a valid medical exemption. If the  applicant
 22    has any evidence of diabetic retinopathy, the applicant must be examined by an
 23    ophthalmologist  and  submit a separate signed statement from the ophthalmolo-
 24    gist that the applicant does not have unstable advancing disease of blood ves-
 25    sels in the retina, known as unstable  proliferative  diabetic  retinopathy.";
 26    and  delete  lines 38 through 40 and insert: "49-105, Idaho Code, and a school
 27    bus driver's permit issued by the board of  trustees  and,  if  applicable,  a
 28    waiver for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus issued by the board of trustees
 29    state department of education. The school bus driver's permit shall be in a".
 30        On page 2, following line 10, insert:
 31        "The state department of education shall promulgate rules as necessary for
 32    the  determination of eligibility and issuance of a waiver to individuals with
 33    insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in accordance with the provisions of  this
 34    section.".
                                                                        
 35                                 CORRECTION TO TITLE
 36        On  page  1,  delete  lines  3  and  4 and insert: "PROVIDE THAT THE STATE
 37    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY ISSUE A MEDICAL WAIVER TO INDIVIDUALS WITH INSULIN
 38    DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT AN APPLICANT HAS
 39    MET THE REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED, AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE
 40    RULES AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY AND
 41    ISSUING SUCH WAIVERS.".

Engrossed Bill (Original Bill with Amendment(s) Incorporated)


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-seventh Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 2004
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                       SENATE BILL NO. 1323, As Amended in the House
                                                                        
                                   BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS; AMENDING SECTION 33-1509, IDAHO CODE, TO  PRO-
  3        VIDE  THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY ISSUE A MEDICAL WAIVER TO
  4        INDIVIDUALS WITH INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES  MELLITUS  IF  THE  DEPARTMENT
  5        DETERMINES THAT AN APPLICANT HAS MET THE REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED, AND TO
  6        REQUIRE  THE  DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE RULES AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE
  7        PROVISIONS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY AND ISSUING SUCH WAIVERS.
                                                                        
  8    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
  9        SECTION 1.  That Section 33-1509, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 10    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 11        33-1509.  SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS -- DEFINITION -- QUALIFICATION -- DUTIES. For
 12    the purpose of this chapter the term "school bus driver" shall mean any person
 13    who at any time is operating a school bus while transporting pupils to or from
 14    school, or to or from approved school activities.
 15        A board of trustees shall employ school bus drivers only upon prior appli-
 16    cation  in  writing and the board shall require of school bus drivers employed
 17    by others who transport pupils of their  district  under  contract,  the  same
 18    information  required in such written application. Each application shall con-
 19    tain at least the minimum information specified by  the  state  department  of
 20    education.
 21        Any  person employed as a school bus driver shall be over the age of eigh-
 22    teen (18) years, be of good moral character and not addicted  to  the  use  of
 23    intoxicants  or  narcotics.  School  bus  drivers shall be subject to meet the
 24    physical examination standards of the federal  motor  carrier  safety  regula-
 25    tions.  Provided  however,  that  individuals  with insulin-dependent diabetes
 26    mellitus, who are otherwise medically qualified under the physical examination
 27    standards of the federal motor  carrier  safety  regulations,  may  request  a
 28    waiver  for this condition and, in the discretion of the board of trustees, be
 29    issued a school bus driver's permit for intrastate transport of pupils  to  or
 30    from school, or to or from approved school activities. Applicants for a waiver
 31    under  this  section shall provide all information and accompanying documenta-
 32    tion as required on a form approved by the state department of education. from
 33    the state department of education. If the applicant meets the requirements  as
 34    specified in subsections (1) through (7) of this section, the department shall
 35    grant  a  waiver. The department shall notify each applicant and each affected
 36    school district of its determination of eligibility with regard to each appli-
 37    cation for a waiver. An applicant shall:
 38        (1)  Document that he has  no  other  disqualifying  conditions  including
 39    diabetes-related complications;
 40        (2)  Document  that he has had no recurring, two (2) or more, hypoglycemic
 41    reactions resulting in a loss of consciousness or seizure within the past five
 42    (5) years. A period of one (1) year of demonstrated stability is required fol-
 43    lowing the first episode of hypoglycemia;
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1        (3)  Document that he has had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions  requir-
  2    ing  the assistance of another person within the past five (5) years. A period
  3    of one (1) year of demonstrated stability is required following the first epi-
  4    sode of hypoglycemia;
  5        (4)  Document that he has had no recurrent hypoglycemic reactions  result-
  6    ing  in  impaired  cognitive  function  that occurred without warning symptoms
  7    within the past five (5) years. A period of one (1) year of demonstrated  sta-
  8    bility is required following the first episode of hypoglycemia;
  9        (5)  Document  that  he  has  been examined by a board-certified or board-
 10    eligible endocrinologist who has conducted a complete medical examination. The
 11    complete medical examination shall consist of a  comprehensive  evaluation  of
 12    the applicant's medical history and current status with a report including the
 13    following information:
 14        (a)  The date insulin use began;
 15        (b)  Diabetes diagnosis and disease history;
 16        (c)  Hospitalization records;
 17        (d)  Consultation notes for diagnostic examinations;
 18        (e)  Special studies pertaining to the diabetes;
 19        (f)  Follow-up reports;
 20        (g)  Reports  of  any  hypoglycemic insulin reactions within the last five
 21        (5) years;
 22        (h)  Two (2) measures of glycosylated hemoglobin, the  first  ninety  (90)
 23        days before the last and current measure;
 24        (i)  Insulin dosages and types, diet utilized for control and any signifi-
 25        cant  factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and other medications or drugs
 26        taken; and
 27        (j)  Examinations to  detect  any  peripheral  neuropathy  or  circulatory
 28        insufficiency of the extremities;
 29        (6)  Submit  a signed statement from an examining endocrinologist indicat-
 30    ing the following medical determinations:
 31        (a)  The endocrinologist is familiar with the applicant's medical  history
 32        for  the  past  five  (5) years, either through actual treatment over that
 33        time or through consultation with a physician who has treated  the  appli-
 34        cant during that time;
 35        (b)  The applicant has been educated in diabetes and its management, thor-
 36        oughly  informed  of and understands the procedures which must be followed
 37        to monitor and manage the applicant's diabetes and what procedures  should
 38        be followed if complications arise; and
 39        (c)  The  applicant  has  the  ability and has demonstrated willingness to
 40        properly monitor and manage the applicant's diabetes; and
 41        (7)  Submit a separate signed statement from an ophthalmologist or optome-
 42    trist that the applicant has been examined and that  the  applicant  does  not
 43    have   diabetic   retinopathy   and  meets  the  vision  standard  in  49  CFR
 44    391.41(b)(10), or has been issued a valid medical exemption. If the  applicant
 45    has any evidence of diabetic retinopathy, the applicant must be examined by an
 46    ophthalmologist  and  submit a separate signed statement from the ophthalmolo-
 47    gist that the applicant does not have unstable advancing disease of blood ves-
 48    sels in the retina, known as unstable proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
 49    Before entering upon his duties, each school bus driver shall  file  with  the
 50    board  of  trustees a current health certificate. and, if applicable, a waiver
 51    request pursuant to this section with all required information and  accompany-
 52    ing documentation. Subsequent health certificates shall be filed with the fre-
 53    quency  required  by  the federal motor carrier safety regulations. School bus
 54    drivers shall be physically able to perform all job-related duties.
 55        Each school bus driver shall at all times possess a valid and  appropriate
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    commercial  driver's  license,  including endorsements as specified in section
  2    49-105, Idaho Code, and a school bus driver's permit issued by  the  board  of
  3    trustees  and, if applicable, a waiver for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  4    issued by the board of trustees state department of education. The school  bus
  5    driver's  permit shall be in a form approved by the state department of educa-
  6    tion and shall be carried on the school bus driver's person or be exhibited in
  7    full view when the holder thereof is operating  any  school  bus  with  pupils
  8    therein.
  9        The  board  of  trustees  may  for  cause, and after a hearing, revoke any
 10    school bus driver's permit or waiver for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
 11        Each school bus driver shall maintain such route books and  other  records
 12    as  may  be  required  by the state department of education or by the board of
 13    trustees of the school district. The school bus driver shall report any  pupil
 14    whose  behavior  is  such as may endanger the operation of the vehicle, or who
 15    damages the same or any part thereof, or whose language is obscene.
 16        It shall be the duty of each school bus driver to report any condition on,
 17    or bordering, his route which constitutes a hazard to the safety of the pupils
 18    being transported.
 19        The state department of education shall promulgate rules as necessary  for
 20    the  determination of eligibility and issuance of a waiver to individuals with
 21    insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in accordance with the provisions of  this
 22    section.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                      STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                           RS 13857C1


This proposal amends current law removing the authority of a
district school board to review and accept or reject a special
waiver request when considering hiring a bus driver that is insulin
dependent with Diabetes Mellitus.  This amendment will require a
licensed physician, not the school board, to make the determination
about the fitness of a person with diabetes to drive a passenger
school bus.  Every bus driver with diabetes applying to be a school
bus driver will still be required to be issued a commercial
driver's license and will also be required to carry an ITD medical
card displaying endorsements and conditions prescribed by the
physician.  The effect of this legislation would be to return
medical decisions to physicians instead of a lay board of school
district trustees.

                          FISCAL NOTE

There would be neither state nor local government fiscal impact. 
Current review procedures and staff would be used as with other
commercial driver license applicants.
     


Contact:  Cliff Green or John Watts
          Idaho School Board Association
          854-1476 or 385-7070
          

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                    S 1323