Brazil Senate Commission approves shared use of rural school transport

The Senate Education Commission has approved a substitute text for Bill 743/2023, which proposes allowing teachers and certain students to use vacant seats in rural school transport vehicles. The measure, proposed by Senator Jussara Lima, aims to optimize the use of existing fleets without compromising the priority of basic education students living in rural areas.

Under the proposal, states, the Federal District, and municipalities will be responsible for regulating the measure and defining permitted routes. The amendment, reported by Senator Camilo Santana, specifically includes students from the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education as potential beneficiaries. The project must now undergo a supplementary vote before proceeding to the Senate Plenary.