PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 260

(ii) Whose location has been approved by either the superintendent of
schools in the local school system in which the loading is located; the Department of State
Police, or the local police department, in cooperation with the State Highway
Administration where applicable.

(2) It is the policy of this State to encourage the establishment and use of
loading zones for school vehicles.

(3) [Where] EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF
THIS SUBSECTION, WHERE a loading zone is available, a school vehicle driver, unless
otherwise required for safety, may not stop on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or
discharging passengers, but shall use the loading zone for this purpose.

(4) (I) A SCHOOL VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOT OPERATE RED
FLASHING SIGNALS ON THE SCHOOL VEHICLE WHEN RECEIVING OR DISCHARGING
PASSENGERS IN A LOADING ZONE.

(II) A SCHOOL VEHICLE DRIVER MAY NOT USE A LOADING ZONE FOR
THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING OR DISCHARGING PASSENGERS, IF PASSENGERS MUST
CROSS A HIGHWAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING OR EXITING THE SCHOOL
VEHICLE.

(a) There is a Task Force to Study the Safe Boarding and Discharging of Children
on School Vehicles.

(b) The Task Force shall consist of the following 9 members:

(1) Two employees of the Motor Vehicle Administration, appointed by the
Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Administration:

(2) Two employees of the State Highway Administration, appointed by the
Administrator of the State Highway Administration:

(3) Two representatives of the Maryland Congress of Parents and Teachers,
Inc. (Maryland PTA), appointed by the President of the Maryland PTA; and

(4) Three members of the Maryland Association of Pupil Transportation
Supervisors representing different geographical regions of the State, appointed by the
President of the Association.

(c) The Task Force shall study:

(1) The use of loading zones for the purpose of receiving or discharging
students by school vehicles;

(2) The use of flashing red lights on school vehicles while in a loading zone
or while on a highway;

(3) The use of loading zones in situations where students would need to
cross a highway for purposes of boarding or exiting a school vehicle: and

(4) Any other issue that the Task Force deems pertinent in relation to the
safety of students boarding or exiting school vehicles.

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