Substitute Senate Bill No. 413 seeks to amend various motor vehicle statutes with a focus on enhancing accessibility and safety for individuals with disabilities and improving student transportation regulations. Key provisions include the expansion of eligibility for removable windshield placards to include parents or guardians of individuals with disabilities and organizations that transport them. The bill mandates that applicants must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license or identification card, with exceptions for those facing hardship. It also introduces new application requirements, such as healthcare professional certification and a quick response code for educational materials. Additionally, the bill specifies that only one placard will be issued per applicant, with a fee of five dollars for temporary placards, and establishes a hearing process for denied applications. Notably, placards issued after October 1, 2023, will not include the phrase "parking permit for persons with disabilities."

The bill further revises regulations concerning student transportation, allowing local boards of education to contract with platform carriers for transporting homeless children and youths or those in foster care starting in the 2026-27 school year. It clarifies definitions related to student transportation vehicles, mandates distinctive registration marker plates, and outlines insurance requirements. The bill also enhances safety measures for school buses and student transportation vehicles, including drug testing for drivers and specific identification signage. Moreover, it updates regulations for electronic issuance licensees and modifies requirements for operating electric bicycles. Overall, the bill aims to modernize transportation laws, improve safety standards, and ensure compliance with legal requirements while providing fiscal benefits to school districts and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-153b
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-153b, 14-25c, 14-280, 14-102a, 14-281b, 14-282a
File No. 466: 14-153b, 14-25c, 14-280, 14-102a, 14-281b, 14-282a