There are several changes that the Texas state legislature made last spring that will go into effect this school including the use of deep fryers, suntan lotion and e-cigs. Also, do you know when you can pass a school bus and what it can cost you when you do it illegally? {{more}}
It can cost you upward to $1,250?.
- It is illegal to pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children on the roadside. The fine can be upwards to $1,250. Two incidents can lead to suspension of license of at least 6 months.
- The most common way to determine whether passengers are being boarded or disembarking is if the bus is displaying an outstretched stop sign and/or flashing red lights. It?s OK to pass the bus parked on the side of the road if the outstretched sign and red lights aren?t activated, or if the bus driver motions for motorists to pass.
Passing a stopped bus with signals flashing can cost you dearly
- Drivers on a divided highway can continue to drive if a bus is loading or unloading passengers on the opposite side of the road. But keep in mind it must be a divided highway, with a raised median separating the different directions of traffic.
- All school buses are required to stop at train crossings regardless even if there train crossing warning signals in place. School bus drivers are required to stop, open their doors and listen for an oncoming train before proceeding over the tracks.
- In Kennedale, you can find out your child?s bus route information online at KISD
Bus Transportation Search
Legal changes for Texas students this year include:
- Texas lawmakers this year changed truancy from a criminal offense to a civil offense in House Bill 2398. Parents may still be fined.
- Students who have failed end-of-course state tests twice can have their cases reviewed by a committee that includes principals, parents, counselors and possibly graduate anyway. The committee can look at criteria including grade-point averages and college entrance exam results to see whether it will allow the student to graduate.
E-cigs are illegal at school and school activites
- Possession or use of electronic cigarettes is prohibited at school-related or school-sanctioned activities on or off school property under Senate Bill 97, which was signed by the governor in May. School boards must add the prohibition and publish information about enforcement policy and procedures by Oct. 1. This will mean football games also.
- Senate Bill 265 allows students to take sunscreen to school and apply it themselves.
- Senate Bill 66 allows schools to establish a process for keeping epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly called EpiPens, on campuses to administer if a student suffers a severe allergic reaction at school.
- Schools can legally deep fry again according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. The key word is ?can?. It is left up to individual school district to make that decision.
