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Bill

Bill

HB 379

AN ACT relating to school district use of autonomous vehicles.

2025 Regular Session

Kentucky bill authorizes school districts to operate self-driving buses for student transportation, raising safety, labor displacement, and implementation cost concerns.

to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
#education #elementaryandsecondary #motorvehicles #trafficsafety #transportation
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Bill Summary · HB 379

Legislative bill overview

HB 379 would authorize Kentucky school districts to use autonomous vehicles (self-driving buses and transportation) for student transportation and related school operations. The bill appears to create a framework allowing districts to pilot or implement driverless vehicle technology as an alternative to traditional bus transportation with human drivers.

Why is this important

School transportation represents a significant operational and budgetary concern for districts, with driver shortages becoming increasingly acute nationwide. Autonomous vehicles could potentially reduce labor costs and increase transportation reliability, but also raise critical questions about safety protocols, liability, and workforce displacement for bus drivers—who represent thousands of jobs across Kentucky.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety and liability standards: Unclear what safety testing, insurance requirements, and liability frameworks would apply when autonomous vehicles carry children, particularly given federal autonomous vehicle regulations remain incomplete
  • Labor impact: Potential displacement of school bus drivers without specified retraining or transition provisions could face significant union and worker advocacy opposition
  • Technology reliability: Questions about autonomous vehicle performance in Kentucky weather conditions (winter driving) and rural areas where many school routes operate
  • Implementation costs: Capital expenses for autonomous vehicle fleets may be prohibitive for rural or under-resourced districts, potentially creating equity disparities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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