Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 55.

Present law limits issuance of initial school bus driver license endorsements to applicants who are at least 25 years of age. This bill authorizes the department of safety to issue an initial school bus driver license endorsement to an otherwise qualified applicant who is at least 23 years of age and:<br /> <br /> (1) An honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces;<br /> (2) A member of the national guard or a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces; or<br /> (3) A licensed teacher employed by an LEA.<br /> <br /> In order for an applicant who is 23 or 24 years of age to be eligible for a school bus endorsement under (1)-(3), the applicant must submit to the department of safety:<br /> <br /> (1) A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, if the applicant is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces;<br /> (2) A letter recommending the applicant to operate a school bus, from one of the applicant's commanding officers, if the applicant is a member of the national guard or a reserve component of the United States armed forces; or<br /> (3) A letter recommending the applicant to operate a school bus, from the director of schools of the LEA that employs the applicant, if the applicant is a licensed teacher. <br /> <br /> ON MARCH 7, 2019, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 245, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 changes this bill's effective date from July 1, 2019, to January 1, 2020.<br /> <br />