This bill introduces a definition for "school transportation vehicle" and establishes licensing and inspection requirements for drivers of such vehicles. It defines a school transportation vehicle as a private passenger vehicle used by an employee or subcontractor of a company that provides student transportation solutions to transport school children to and from public or nonpublic schools and related activities under contract with a municipality, municipal board, or educational institution. The bill amends RSA 259 to include this new definition and RSA 189 to allow pupils to be transported in these vehicles, provided they are approved by the division of motor vehicles and operated by drivers holding a valid school bus driver's certificate.

The bill also amends RSA 263:29 to require that the owner of a school bus or provider of school transportation vehicle services submit a list of drivers for investigation of their criminal and motor vehicle records. Drivers must pass a special examination and receive a special school bus driver's certificate, which can be revoked by the director for good cause. Additionally, the bill amends RSA 263:29-a to mandate that employers maintain a file on each qualified driver, which the department can access, and RSA 266:7 to give the director authority to inspect vehicles used for transporting school children. Finally, RSA 189:13-b is amended to require criminal history records checks on all school bus or school transportation vehicle drivers. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of August 13, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:15-a, 198:15-w, 263:29, 263:29-a, 266:7, 189:13-b
As Amended by the Senate: 263:29, 263:29-a, 266:7, 189:13-b
Version adopted by both bodies: 263:29, 263:29-a, 266:7, 189:13-b
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 263:29, 263:29-a, 266:7, 189:13-b