This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 28A.160. Here is the modified chapter for context.
By September 1, 2023, all school buses that are primarily or exclusively used for the transportation of students with disabilities must be equipped with video recording devices for the purpose of documenting actions occurring in the interior of the bus during the students' transportation to and from school, which must be inclusive of the time between the students' entrance to and exit from the bus.
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The school district must install, operate, and maintain the recording devices required by this section for school buses that are the property of the school district.
The school district and the entity with which the school district contracts for the provision of student transportation shall, by mutual agreement, provide for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the recording devices required by this section for school buses that are not the property of the school district.
Video recordings made in accordance with this section:
Are the exclusive property of the school district and may not be viewed, transferred, or otherwise made available to other persons or entities without the express permission of the school district; and
Must be retained and accessible to qualified school district personnel for a minimum of one year after the date of the recording.
School districts shall revise or adopt policies as necessary to protect the privacy of students whose images are or may be captured in recordings required by this section. Policies adopted in accordance with this subsection must, at a minimum:
Restrict access to the recordings to qualified personnel of the school district, qualified personnel of the entity employing the bus driver if the student transportation services are provided by a private entity, and school district employees whose images are or may be captured in the recordings; and
Limit parental and legal guardian access to the recordings to only the parents and legal guardians of students whose images are or may be captured in the recordings.
For the purposes of this section "to and from school" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.160.160.
If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2022, in the omnibus operating appropriations act, this act is null and void.