SUMMARY:  LC 39 2874  LC 39 2935S (SCS)  LC 39 3002S  LC 39 3037S

The bill authorizes the use of motor vehicles of eight passengers or less which are operated and marked for the transportation of school children to and from school and school-related activities.  The State Board would determine minimum specifications for these vehicles as they do for buses.

Local boards may authorize the use of vehicles other than school buses for the transport of students who have an IEP OR are currently lacking, or during the previous academic year lacked a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as described in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, to and from school related activities as appropriate. This may include vehicles with the capacity of eight passengers or less.

The State Board shall delineate the minimum standards and requirements for these smaller vehicles separate from school buses.  Local boards shall comply with all the requirements set by the State Board and may add to them. 

Local boards are "authorized and required" to cause policies of insurance to be issued insuring the students being transported to and from school related activities against bodily injury or death at any time resulting from an accident or collision in which such vehicles are involved.  The amount of the insurance required is up to the local board. 

The definition of school bus in 40-1-1(55) would now include these vehicles authorized by the new code section. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2021