23 U.S.C. § 208 Safe Routes to School

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) DEFINITIONS.-In this section:

(1) IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS.-The term "in the vicinity of schools", with respect to a school, means the approximately 2-mile area within bicycling and walking distance of the school.

(2) PRIMARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOLS.-The term "primary, middle, and high schools" means schools providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade.

(b) ESTABLISHMENT.-Subject to the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary, middle, and high schools.

(c) PURPOSES.-The purposes of the program established under subsection (b) shall be-

(1) to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;

(2) to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

(3) to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

(d) APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall be apportioned among the States so that each State receives the amount equal to the proportion that-

(A) the total student enrollment in primary, middle, and high schools in each State; bears to

(B) the total student enrollment in primary, middle, and high schools in all States.

(2) MINIMUM APPORTIONMENT.-No State shall receive an apportionment under this section for a fiscal year of less than $1,000,000.

(3) SET-ASIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.-Before apportioning under this subsection amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall set aside not more than $3,000,000 of those amounts for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in carrying out this section.

(4) DETERMINATION OF STUDENT ENROLLMENTS.-Determinations under this subsection relating to student enrollments shall be made by the Secretary.

(e) ADMINISTRATION OF AMOUNTS.-Amounts apportioned to a State under this section shall be administered by the State department of transportation.

(f) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.-Amounts apportioned to a State under this section shall be used by the State to provide financial assistance to State, local, Tribal, and regional agencies, including nonprofit organizations, that demonstrate an ability to meet the requirements of this section.