FL H0041

Summary of CS/CS/CS/HB 41 - "Gabby's Law for Student Safety"

• Applies to public elementary school students in grades K-6 who live within 2 miles of school and walk to school

• Defines hazardous walking conditions including: roads lacking a 4-foot walkway adjacent to traffic, uncurbed roads with speeds of 50+ mph requiring walkways set back 3 feet from the road edge, uncontrolled crossings with traffic exceeding 360 vehicles per hour per direction, and uncontrolled crossings on roads with 50+ mph speed limits or 6+ lanes

• Requires joint inspections by school district representatives, governmental entities with road jurisdiction, law enforcement, and metropolitan planning organizations when hazardous conditions are reported; allows district school boards to initiate declaratory judgment proceedings if consensus cannot be reached

• Mandates district school boards provide transportation to students affected by hazardous walking conditions, and requires governmental entities to correct identified hazards within a reasonable time or include corrections in their 5-year transportation work program

• Authorizes district school boards to implement toll-free hotlines for reporting improper school bus driver conduct, effective July 1, 2015