Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to establish a work group dedicated to developing standards and strategies for the safe placement of school bus stops in Minnesota. The group is tasked with evaluating current practices and providing recommendations for legislative changes to improve the safety of schoolchildren at bus stop locations.

Main Provisions

• Work Group Formation: By August 1, 2025, a safe school bus site work group will be convened by the commissioner of transportation to study and suggest improvements for school bus stop placements.

• Membership: The group will consist of diverse members, including state legislators, officials from multiple transportation and educational organizations, and representatives from school transportation groups, among others.

• Duties of the Work Group:

  • Review existing state and local policies related to school bus stop safety.
  • Analyze incidents at or near bus stops to identify risks.
  • Study design and situational factors affecting current bus stop locations.
  • Develop best practices for determining safe bus stop placements, considering risk assessments, traffic conditions, pedestrian accessibility, visibility, and community input.

• Public Engagement: The group must engage with local communities, gather feedback, and ensure transparency in developing new safety standards.

• Reporting: An interim report of findings is due by March 1, 2027, with a final report to be completed by May 1, 2027.

• Expiration: The work group is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027.

Appropriation

• A one-time appropriation from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 is allocated to the commissioner of transportation to support the activities of the work group. This funding is available until June 30, 2027.

Relevant Terms

• Safe school bus stop standards
• School bus stop safety
• Risk assessment
• Community engagement
• Public awareness