Jude U. Hofschneider
SENATOR Jude U. Hofschneider last week pre-filed Senate Bill 24-44, which would establish a driver’s education program within the Public School System in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety’s traffic division.
The bill would give PSS these mandates:
– Integrate the driver’s education program into the high school curriculum, either as an elective or required course.
– Employ or contract with instructors certified in driver’s education as approved by DPS standards.
– Procure and maintain instructional materials, training vehicles, and necessary equipment for program operations.
– Coordinate class schedules to ensure program accessibility to all eligible students.
– Maintain records of student enrollment, attendance, and program completion.
Under the bill, DPS would have the following duties:
– Provide curriculum guidance and periodic review of instructional standards and materials.
– Approve and certify driver’s education instructors.
– Monitor program implementation and conduct periodic evaluations of instructional practices and compliance with applicable safety standards.
– Provide access to DPS resources, including manuals, digital content, and public safety officers for guest instruction or outreach.
– Assist in coordination of licensing examinations or learner’s permit testing for participants.
According to the bill, providing a publicly administered and standardized driver’s education program within PSS “promotes equity by ensuring that all students, regardless of income or background, have access to essential training.” Furthermore, “collaboration with DPS will ensure the curriculum aligns with current traffic laws and enforcement practices, promoting consistency between education and public safety messaging.”
In 2010, PSS and the Board of Education opposed a similar bill, S.B. 17-20, saying it would impose additional costs on the school system, among other adverse impacts.
Then-Gov. Benigno R. Fitial later vetoed the bill, saying DPS Bureau of Motor Vehicles was not ready or equipped to run it, and PSS was not prepared to handle the liability, costs, or logistics.
