A.(1) In addition to any regulations adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 17:164 relative to the construction, design, equipment, and operation of school buses used in the transportation of students, the board also shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act requiring that every bus used in the transportation of students to and from home or school bus stops and acquired after January 1, 1996, shall be equipped with a crossing control device actuated by the operator and operated in conjunction with the stop arm. The crossing control device shall pivot out from the right side of the front bumper to prevent persons from walking directly in front of the bus.

            (2) In addition to the rules and regulations required pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the board shall adopt rules and regulations as specified in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection by not later than January 1, 2008. The provisions of this Paragraph shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose.

            B. Notwithstanding any provision of La. Rev. Stat. 17:164 to the contrary, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall require each governing authority of a public elementary or secondary school to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this Section.

            Acts 1995, No. 437, §1; Acts 2007, No. 284, §1; Acts 2017, No. 335, §1; Acts 2022, No. 640, §1.