School bus safety is a top priority in Mississippi. The Mississippi Legislature passed Nathan's Law as a proactive strategy to protect our most valuable resource- children.
- Requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet from a school bus when the bus is loading or unloading children. Motorists must not proceed until all children have crossed the street to or from the school bus, the flashing red lights are no longer activated, and the stop sign on the side of the bus is retracted.
- Authorizes a charge of felony assault and a prison sentence of up to 20 years for motorists convicted of illegally passing a school bus that, in the process, results in injury or death.
- Authorizes cameras be equipped on school bus stop arms to film perpetrators in the act.
- Required the development of at least 10 questions relating to school bus safety on a driver's license test.
- Established a School Bus Safety Task Force.
- Prohibits school bus drivers from using cell phones, wireless communication devices, vehicle navigation systems or "personal digital assistants" while operating the bus, except in an emergency.
- Increases the fine for passing a stopped school bus.
The School Safety Educational Leadership Framework (SSELF) meets the school bus safety curriculum requirements of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 37-3-107. The School Safety Educational Leadership Framework provides competencies, objectives, and strategies to support instruction on school bus safety, bullying prevention, conflict resolution, weather safety, and other topics in kindergarten through third grade. This document is out for APA until 5:00 p.m. on October 24th
, 2013 and can be downloaded by clicking here