(a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall establish and operate an operation lifesaver program designed to reduce the number of accidents at railway crossings and to increase the public awareness of railroad crossing hazards. The commissioner may enter into agreements with any national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public safety and providing education regarding railroad crossing hazards to establish, operate and maintain the program.

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(b) The Commissioner of Transportation shall: (1) Ensure the Operation Lifesaver Committee, established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, guides and promotes the program on the local level; (2) educate the public with information designed to reduce the number of accidents, deaths and injuries at railroad and at-grade crossings; (3) encourage state and local law enforcement agencies to vigorously enforce the law governing motorist and pedestrian rights and responsibilities; (4) encourage the development of engineering and safety improvements; (5) encourage the maintenance of railroad and at-grade crossings; (6) if a national nonprofit organization operates and maintains the program, require such organization to submit an annual report regarding the status of the program and make any recommendations regarding additional goals or objectives of the program to the Operation Lifesaver Committee; and (7) adhere to the goals and objectives of the program.

(c) There is established an Operation Lifesaver Committee which shall be within the Department of Transportation. The committee shall consist of the Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner’s designee, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection or the commissioner’s designee and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the commissioner’s designee. The Commissioner of Transportation or the commissioner’s designee shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at such times as it deems necessary.

(d) The Commissioner of Transportation may, within available federal resources, make grants and otherwise administer funds to public or private school systems to assist such school systems to establish, operate or maintain an operation lifesaver training program. The commissioner may apply for, receive and accept grants, gifts and bequests of funds made available by any person, political subdivision or entity, or any other agency, governmental or private, including the United States or any of its agencies and instrumentalities, to carry out the purposes of this section.

(e) The Department of Transportation may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section.