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UMA Affiliations
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Gedris
800.424.8262
Sex Offenders Need Not Apply in North Carolina
State Passes Law Restricting CDL Endorsements
Under a Bill passed by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Beverly E. Perdue earlier this week, North Carolina will no longer allow commercial drivers who are required to register as a sex offender to possess a “passenger” or “school bus” endorsement.
“UMA congratulates the North Carolina Motorcoach Association for introducing and piloting this landmark legislation,” states Ken Presley, vice president of industry relations for United Motorcoach Association.
Effective December 1, 2009, persons required to register under the sex offender and public protection registration plans will be denied a “Passenger” or “School Bus” endorsement. As Commercial Drivers License (CDL) renew, sex offenders will be denied renewal of these endorsements. Also, any CDL holder with these endorsements who commits an offense requiring sex offender registration will see their CDL revoked.
“We are very proud that we have been able to get this important legislation introduced and passed,” noted Jim Harris, president of the North Carolina Motorcoach Association and owner of Warsaw, NC-based Cardinal Coach. “The safety and protection of our passengers is paramount and keeping convicted sex offenders from operating buses that transport children just makes sense.”
Faced with the expense of running criminal background checks in multiple jurisdictions at the request of school districts, the legislation shifts the responsibility and expense to the state.
“Jim (Harris) along with the North Carolina Motorcoach Association Legislative Committee did a yeoman’s job of making sure this legislation stayed on track and passed,” comments Presley. “North Carolina stands as a model and we hope other state associations will pursue this important legislation.”
The United Motorcoach Association is North America's largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 1,200 members located all across North America, with more than 925 charter and tour bus operator members who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its members with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations.
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