(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Electronic warning device” means a nine-inch by twenty-four-inch (9" x 24") electronic driver alert sign that uses a light-emitting diode (LED) screen and is to be mounted between the two (2) windows of the rear emergency exit door on a Type C bus or immediately below the rear emergency exit window on a Type D bus;
(2) “High incident route” means a school bus route that has been identified by the school district or the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation as having a history of repeated and verified incidents of operators of motor vehicles illegally passing the school bus during the loading or unloading of passengers on the school bus route in violation of § 27-51-1004; and
(3)
(A) “Video recording device” means a device that includes at least one (1) video camera and a data recording device that is installed on a school bus to capture video or digital images of a violation of § 27-51-1004.
(B) A video recording device that is issued under this section shall have specifications and features that allow it to capture video or digital images of at least two (2) of the following:
(i) The motor vehicle;
(ii) The operator of the motor vehicle; or
(iii) The license plate on the motor vehicle.
(b) The division shall create a school bus safety equipment grant pilot program, subject to the appropriation and availability of funding.
(c) The goal of the school bus safety equipment grant pilot program is to provide school districts with video recording devices or other electronic warning devices for school buses that travel on high incident routes.
(d)
(1) A school district may apply to the division for a grant for a video recording device or electronic warning device for the installation and use on the school district's school buses.
(2) The division shall award a grant of equipment to a school district to improve the safety of school bus transportation to the school district applicants that are most in need as determined by the following factors:
(A) The number of high incident routes;
(B) The number of school bus routes;
(C) The type of roads;
(D) The number of students transported on school buses; and
(E) The size of the school district.
(e) The grant of equipment shall be the video recording device or electronic warning device purchased by the division and does not include installation costs.
(f) The school district shall certify to the division within forty-five (45) days after receiving the equipment that the equipment was installed according to the division's specifications on a school bus that travels on a high incident route.
(g) The division may promulgate rules for the implementation and administration of this section.