(a) All pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in public or private school who are transported in a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus shall receive instruction in schoolbus emergency procedures and passenger safety. The county superintendent of schools, superintendent of the school district, or owner/operator of a private school, as applicable, shall ensure that the instruction is provided as follows:
(1) Upon registration, the parents or guardians of all pupils not previously transported in a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus and who are in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall be provided with written information on schoolbus safety. The information shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(A) A list of schoolbus stops near each pupil’s home.
(B) General rules of conduct at schoolbus loading zones.
(C) Red light crossing instructions.
(D) Schoolbus danger zone.
(E) Walking to and from schoolbus stops.
(2) At least once in each school year, all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who receive home-to-school transportation shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, proper loading and unloading procedures, including escorting by the driver, how to safely cross the street, highway, or private road, instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, as described in paragraph (3), proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, pupils shall evacuate the schoolbus through emergency exit doors.
(3) Instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, when a passenger restraint system is installed, shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(A) Proper fastening and release of the passenger restraint system.
(B) Acceptable placement of passenger restraint systems on pupils.
(C) Times at which the passenger restraint systems should be fastened and released.
(D) Acceptable placement of the passenger restraint systems when not in use.
(4) Prior to departure on a school activity trip, all pupils riding on a schoolbus or school pupil activity bus shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit.
(b) The following information shall be documented each time the instruction required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) is given:
(1) Name of school district, county office of education, or private school.
(2) Name and location of school.
(3) Date of instruction.
(4) Names of supervising adults.
(5) Number of pupils participating.
(6) Grade levels of pupils.
(7) Subjects covered in instruction.
(8) Amount of time taken for instruction.
(9) Busdriver’s name.
(10) Bus number.
(11) Additional remarks.
The information recorded pursuant to this subdivision shall remain on file at the district or county office, or at the school, for one year from the date of the instruction, and shall be subject to inspection by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 552, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 2004.)