Brief (1)
SB 369, as amended, relates to restricted drivers' licenses. Under the bill a student issued a restricted driver's license would be able to operate the appropriate vehicle over the most direct and accessible route from the licensee's residence to the licensee's school of enrollment or to school owned or leased property for school activities purposes to allow the licensee to participate in school activities. Participation does not include being merely a spectator at such school activities.
Under current law, a holder of a restricted license is entitled to drive to and from a job, the licensee's school of enrollment, and when accompanied in the vehicle by an adult who holds a valid motor vehicle driver's license. The amendment would add driving to and from school sponsored activities to the list of legal activities allowed for a holder of a restricted driver's license.
Background
The bill, as introduced, was requested by Senator Nancey Harrington. Senator Harrington testified that under current law the term "school attendance" means that a student with a restricted driver's license can only drive to school for classes. She also noted that in some cases local law enforcement officials have ticketed students returning from extracurricular activities. Others who testified included the Director of Marketing and Public Affairs of the American Automobile Association of Kansas and the Assistant Director, Public Policy Division, Kansas Farm Bureau.
Both of these conferees asked for clarification of the term "participation" as it related to school activities.
KSA 72-133 defines school activities to include: school activities and contests in the fields of athletics, music, forensics, dramatics, and any other interschool extracurricular activities by students enrolled in any of the grades from 7 to 12 inclusive.
The original fiscal note for SB 369 indicated that there would be no fiscal impact resulting from the passage of the bill.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html