Sec. 547.701. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL BUSES AND OTHER BUSES USED TO TRANSPORT SCHOOLCHILDREN. (a) A school bus shall be equipped with:

(1) a convex mirror or other device that reflects to the school bus operator a clear view of the area immediately in front of the vehicle that would otherwise be hidden from view; and

(2) signal lamps that:

(A) are mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable;

(B) display four alternately flashing red lights, two located on the front at the same level and two located on the rear at the same level; and

(C) emit a light visible at a distance of 500 feet in normal sunlight.

(b) A school bus may be equipped with:

(1) rooftop warning lamps:

(A) that conform to and are placed on the bus in accordance with specifications adopted under Section 34.002, Education Code; and

(B) that are operated under rules adopted by the school district; and

(2) movable stop arms:

(A) that conform to regulations adopted under Section 34.002, Education Code; and

(B) that may be operated only when the bus is stopped to load or unload students.

(c) When a school bus is being stopped or is stopped on a highway to permit students to board or exit the bus, the operator of the bus shall activate all flashing warning signal lights and other equipment on the bus designed to warn other drivers that the bus is stopping to load or unload children. A person may not operate such a light or other equipment except when the bus is being stopped or is stopped on a highway to permit students to board or exit the bus.

(d) The exterior of a school bus may not bear advertising or another paid announcement directed at the public if the advertising or announcement distracts from the effectiveness of required safety warning equipment. The department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. A school bus that violates this section or rules adopted under this section shall be placed out of service until it complies.

(e) In this subsection, "bus" includes a school bus, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, or school-chartered bus. A bus operated by or contracted for use by a school district for the transportation of schoolchildren shall be equipped with a three-point seat belt for each passenger, including the operator. This subsection does not apply to:

(1) a bus purchased by a school district that is a model year 2017 or earlier; or

(2) a bus purchased by a school district that is a model year 2018 or later if the board of trustees for the school district:

(A) determines that the district's budget does not permit the district to purchase a bus that is equipped with the seat belts required by this subsection; and

(B) votes to approve that determination in a public meeting.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1438, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 183, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 259 (H.B. 323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 259 (H.B. 323), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1328 (H.B. 3646), Sec. 90(c), eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 451 (S.B. 1610), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (S.B. 693), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (S.B. 693), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.