Background checks for bus drivers

background checks for the criminal records of bus drivers on Thursday, shortly after another tour bus accident claimed the lives of four passengers. “Bus drivers literally hold their passengers´ lives and safety in their hands. Those passengers should be able to trust that the driver is qualified to handle that responsibility,” Senate bill sponsor Charles Fuschillo said. S5171B would require all new bus drivers to submit to a criminal background check when they are hired and be subjected to a 90 day conditional period while the background check is being undertaken. All current bus drivers would submit to a criminal background check when they renew their commercial driver’s license, a requirement currently applying only to school bus drivers. The current lack of a background check requirement enables many drivers with a history of criminal driving convictions to stay on the road. It’s certainly a welcome change, and will allow citizens to feel safer in their communities. To read the bill in full, you can see it at http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S5171B-2011.]]>