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Bill to require human-trafficking recognition training for school bus drivers gets proponents' support in House Transportation hearing
Summary
Sen. Mike Yakawich presented SB 245 to require transportation-specific human-trafficking recognition training for school bus drivers; proponents including the Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Rural Education Association supported the bill and said training can be provided at no cost and fit within existing 15 hours of annual driver training.
Sen. Mike Yakawich opened a hearing on Senate Bill 245, which would require school bus drivers to complete a transportation-industry-specific human-trafficking recognition course as part of driver qualification. Yakawich described the proposal as an "extra eyes on the kids" bill, arguing that bus drivers are trusted adults who can spot warning signs and report suspicious activity.
Yakawich told the committee the training can be provided at no cost through existing online resources (he cited Truckers Against Trafficking as an example) and that OPI and the Board of Education have been part of developing materials. He said the bill does not add to the annual training hours for drivers but asks OPI and the Board to carve out about 40 minutes from the existing 15 hours to accommodate the trafficking-recognition content.
Katie Bloodgood, legislative liaison for the Office of Public Instruction, testified that OPI can provide training materials to drivers at no cost and recommended committee support. "By providing transportation-industry-specific human trafficking recognition training materials, we are empowering [drivers] to become a critical line of defense in identifying and preventing exploitation," Bloodgood said.
Larry Crowder, executive director of the Montana Rural Education Association and representing a coalition of school associations, noted that bus drivers already complete 15 hours of required training and said the trafficking module fits within that requirement without added district cost.
Alyssa Snow, representing the Blackfeet Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, urged support and described bus drivers as often the only adult in contact with a child between home and school. Sen. Yakawich closed by thanking supporters, noting the bill carries no fiscal cost as written, and asking for a "due pass." The chair closed the hearing on SB 245.
