House Bill No. by Representative Wilder amends the current law regarding the probationary term of school bus operators. The bill changes the authority for dismissing or discharging a school bus operator from the school board to the superintendent. Under the proposed law, during the three-year probationary term, the superintendent is responsible for providing written reasons for any dismissal or discharge, and the operator is given the opportunity to respond within seven calendar days. This response must be included in the operator's personnel file.

Additionally, the bill maintains the provision that a school bus operator must be immediately dismissed if convicted of or pleading nolo contendere to certain offenses related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense occurred during their official duties. Overall, the bill streamlines the dismissal process by centralizing authority with the superintendent while ensuring that operators have a chance to respond to any actions taken against them.

Statutes affected:
HB434 Original: 17:492(A)