SB191 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

School bus drivers, physical examination, successful completion required, Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act, Sec. 16-27-4.1 added

Summary

The Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act requires public K-12 school bus drivers to pass a licensed physician–conducted physical exam to demonstrate they are physically able to operate a bus.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new rule that local boards cannot hire or contract with anyone to drive a school bus unless they meet specific physical qualifications. It sets detailed medical and physical criteria (vision, hearing, limb health, heart and blood pressure, diabetes, neurological and mental health conditions, and substance use) that drivers must meet. New bus drivers must pass a physical exam before starting to drive; current drivers must pass within three months after the act takes effect, and then every two years. Results must be recorded and kept by the State Department of Education; there is a grandfather clause for existing certificate holders, and noncompliance can lead to loss of the driver's certificate.

Who It Affects

• School bus drivers: must pass comprehensive physical exams and meet strict medical/physical criteria; new hires must be examined before driving, and current drivers must be examined within 3 months and every two years thereafter; grandfathering may apply in some cases.
• Local boards of education / school districts (employers) and the State Department of Education: must administer exams, document results on prescribed forms, maintain records, and enforce the loss of certification for noncompliance.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Creates the Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act and adds Section 16-27-4.1 defining who is physically qualified to drive a school bus.
• Provision 2: Outlines 13 medical/physical criteria that must be met, covering limbs, impairments, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory issues, blood pressure, musculoskeletal/neuromuscular conditions, epilepsy, mental health, vision, hearing, substance use, and alcoholism.
• Provision 3: Requires new bus drivers to pass a physical exam by a licensed physician before operating a bus; current drivers must pass within 3 months after the act’s effective date and then every two years.
• Provision 4: Requires results to be documented on state-prescribed forms and kept in the school district's central office.
• Provision 5: Allows a grandfathering option for drivers who already hold a certificate if a physician certifies that their condition won't affect safe operation and a waiver form is provided.
• Provision 6: States that failing to comply leads to loss of the Alabama School Bus Driver Certificate.
• Provision 7: Becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education