Sen.

Wednesday, April 25, 2001

Sen. Grace Schwab’s first legislative proposal was signed into law last week, raising the standards for school bus drivers and providing more protection for children.

School bus drivers can be disqualified for several violations including felony offenses, drug offenses, criminal sexual conduct and driving while impaired. Schwab’s law expands the criteria to included certain crimes against children such as the use of minors in sexual performance, possession of pornographic material involving minors and display of harmful material to minors.

Schwab, R-Albert Lea, said the new law would cancel the endorsement of any school bus driver convicted of one of these crimes as of June 1, 2001.

&uot;Not including these violations was probably just a technical oversight,&uot; Schwab said. &uot;But it’s an error that has the potential to expose our children to serious danger.&uot;

After Gov. Jesse Ventura signed the bill, Schwab said she was glad that her first successful bill affected a child safety issue.

&uot;I’m honored that my first legislative action could be on an issue that’s this important to my neighbors and my own family,&uot; she said.

Schwab, a former school board member for District 241, said the law is an example of common-sense legislation.

&uot;Obviously, we wouldn’t want people who commit these types of crimes to be responsible for our children every day,&uot; she said.