SB 160 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

SCHOOLS: Allows transportation network companies to transport students to and from school and school related functions. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE SG RV See Note)

SB 160 allows transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) to provide student transportation to and from schools and school events. It requires these companies to conduct criminal background checks through the state police bureau, lowering the minimum age for background checks from 23 to 21 years. The bill directly affects schools seeking alternative transportation options, students using these services, and transportation companies operating in this space. This policy change expands approved transportation providers beyond traditional school buses while adding specific background check requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 4, 2025 Signed Jun 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB160 Original SB160 Act · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates regulations for transportation network companies (like ride-share services) that transport students to and from school. The primary changes lower the minimum driver age requirement from 23 to 21 and shift the criminal background check requirement from a general FBI/state police database search to a specific mandate for a state-fingerprint check. Additionally, the bill adds a requirement for a child abuse and neglect screen and expands the list of mandatory safety trainings for drivers to include CPR, disability transport considerations, and child restraint laws.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on authorizing contracts between school districts and transportation network companies for student transport, but the specific operational requirements for drivers and companies have been tightened and modified.
ELIGIBILITY

The minimum age requirement for drivers was lowered from 23 years to 21 years.

REQUIREMENT

The background check requirement was changed from a general FBI/state police database search to a specific mandate for a national and state fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information.

A new requirement was added for drivers to undergo a clear Louisiana child abuse and neglect screen.

Driver training requirements were expanded to include special considerations for transporting youth with disabilities and laws on proper child restraint systems.

A new requirement mandates that vehicles used for these services must be no more than thirteen years old.

A new requirement mandates that any defects or deficiencies found during pre-trip vehicle inspections must be repaired or corrected before the driver performs services.

Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2025 · House May 27, 2025

How they voted

330
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 37
May 7, 2025
D Democratic11
8 Yea 3
72% Yea
R Republican26
25 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 93, nays 1. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 8, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
lower
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported with amendments.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Education.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Stewart Cathey
Stewart Cathey
RRepublican
LA
33