HB884: School buses; prohibits idling of engines of those diesel-powered on school premises.

HOUSE BILL NO. 884
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled January 8, 2008
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-917.3, relating to idling of school bus engine.
Patron-- Toscano

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-917.3 as follows:

§ 46.2-917.3. Idling of engines of certain school buses prohibited.

Except as otherwise provided in regulations promulgated by the Department of Education in consultation with other applicable state agencies, no operator of any diesel-powered school bus shall idle the engine of such bus on school premises while waiting for students to board or exit the vehicle at any school, nor shall such operator start the engine of any such school bus until ready to leave school premises. Such regulations shall set forth periods or circumstances that reasonably require the idling of the engine, including periods when it is necessary to operate defrosting, heating, or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of the driver or passengers or to operate auxiliary equipment, and periods when the engine is undergoing maintenance or inspections.