CROSSING GUARD AGE REQUIREMENT - H.B. 4753 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS
sans-serif">House Bill 4753 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Scott Shackleton
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
RATIONALE
Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a school crossing guard must be at least 18 years old and meet certain training requirements. Reportedly, the age requirement has contributed to a shortage of personnel to oversee crosswalks used by school children in some communities. It has been suggested that the minimum age be lowered to 17 to address the shortage.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to lower the minimum age of a school crossing guard from 18 to 17.
In addition to being at least 18 years old, a school crossing guard must be authorized to supervise children using a school crossing as provided in Section 613c of the Code. That section requires a person to have a minimum of four hours of instruction before performing the duties of a school crossing guard and two hours of additional instruction before the beginning of each school year. The courses must be approved by the Department of Education and the Department of State Police and conducted by the local law enforcement agency with immediate jurisdiction of the crossing or its designee. Under the bill, a person who was at least 17 could be a school crossing guard as long as he or she fulfilled the training requirements.
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
Some areas of the State have reported that they are having difficulty finding enough crossing guards, particularly during the mid-afternoon when elementary school children are crossing the street. The bill would allow responsible high school students to act as crossing guards and give municipalities more discretion to decide who should be a crossing guard.
- Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Joe CarrascoH0304\s4753a
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.