House Bill 1790, also known as Senate Bill 2121, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to school bus transportation. The bill raises the minimum age requirement for applicants seeking to become school bus drivers from the previous standard to at least twenty-three (23) years of age. Additionally, it removes a specific subsection (e) from Section 55-50-302 and modifies subsection (b) of Section 49-6-2107 to allow local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to establish their own policies regarding the qualifications of school bus drivers, ensuring the safety and health of school pupils.

The changes outlined in the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards in school transportation. By increasing the age requirement and granting local authorities the ability to set driver qualifications, the bill aims to enhance the overall safety of school bus operations in Tennessee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55-50-302(d), 55-50-302, 49-6-2107