257.320b Driver safety school; establishment; supervision; courses; referrals; voluntary attendance; staying imposition of sentence; fee; approval of school.

Sec. 320b.

    (1) A driver safety school may be established in a county by an advisory board consisting of the superintendent of schools of the largest school district in the county who shall act as chairperson and fiscal agent, the county superintendent of schools, a judge of the family division of circuit court, the prosecuting attorney, the sheriff, the chief of police of the largest city in the county; and a judge of a court having jurisdiction over traffic offenses or civil infractions, and 2 citizens at large, who shall be appointed by the county board of commissioners. A school so established shall be conducted under the supervision of the superintendent of public instruction and pursuant to the rules prescribed by the superintendent.

    (2) Courses, as prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction, shall be offered for the purpose of developing good driving habits and promoting highway traffic safety. The courses shall be open to the following persons:

    (a) A person who is referred to a school by a court having jurisdiction over traffic violations after 2 or more convictions or civil infraction determinations of a moving traffic violation within a 12-month period and who, in the determination of the court, is in need of the remedial education.

    (b) A person who, after a hearing as provided in section 320, is referred to a school by the secretary of state.

    (c) A person who voluntarily chooses to attend.

    (3) For the purpose of referral as provided in this section, the court, after entry of judgment of conviction for a misdemeanor, may stay the imposition of sentence until the violator has attended the school. A person referred to a school by a court or by the secretary of state may attend any school in the state which has been established in conformity with this section.

    (4) A fee not to exceed $10.00 may be charged for attendance at the school. The fees shall be established by the advisory board and shall be used to defray the cost of instruction, materials, and clinical services.

    (5) A person shall not be referred to a school which has not been approved by the advisory board and the superintendent of public instruction.