Bill Text: SC H5172 | 2017-2018 | 122nd General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: CDL training classes in schools
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 9-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-21 - Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works [H5172 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2017-H5172-Introduced.html
A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-59-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, SHALL PLAN AND DEVELOP A CURRICULUM FOR USE BY HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH TRAINING TO OBTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVERS' LICENSES FOLLOWING GRADUATION PROVIDED THE STUDENTS MEET ALL OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR ENABLING STUDENTS TO OBTAIN BEHIND-THE-WHEEL EXPERIENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND THE USE OF DRIVING SIMULATORS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO PROVIDE FOR A THREE-YEAR PILOT TESTING OF THE CURRICULUM IN FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BEGINNING WITH THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 59, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-59-65. (A) Before July 1, 2019, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall plan and develop a curriculum for use by a high school to provide a student with training to obtain a commercial driver's license following graduation, provided the student meets all other requirements for a CDL. This program must consist of a three-year, four-unit course of study beginning in tenth grade. The program also must include training necessary for obtaining a school bus endorsement and may include training for other available endorsements, which may require additional units of study. To help students enrolled in the program obtain behind-the-wheel training in preparation for the road skills testing requirement for a CDL:
(1) the Department of Education and Department of Motor Vehicles jointly shall seek to develop apprenticeship partnerships with the trucking industry; and
(2) the Department of Education may allow districts to use truck driving simulators, tractor trailer trucks, or both, for behind-the-wheel training on school grounds.
(B) The State Board of Education shall pilot test the curriculum in five school districts over a three year period beginning with the 2019-2020 School Year and annually report the findings of the pilot program before June first to the Senate Education Committee and the House Education and Public Works Committee for consideration in expanding the program to other districts.
(C) For purposes of this section:
(1) 'Commercial driver's license' or 'CDL' has the same meaning as used in Section 56-1-2030(1).
(2) 'Endorsement' has the same meaning as used in Section 56-1-2030(13).
(3) 'School bus' has the same meaning as used in Section 56-1-2030(23)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
