This bill amends the current law regarding the certification of school bus drivers in New Hampshire. It introduces an alternative pathway for obtaining a school bus driver's certificate for individuals who are already certified as school bus drivers in jurisdictions deemed by the director of the division of motor vehicles to meet or exceed New Hampshire's requirements. The bill specifies that the owner of any school bus or provider of school transportation services must submit a list of drivers to the relevant authorities, who will then conduct background checks. A driver must either pass a special examination or provide proof of current certification from a qualifying jurisdiction to be eligible for a special school bus driver's certificate.

Additionally, the bill empowers the director of the division of motor vehicles to evaluate the credentialing standards, training, and testing of other states to determine which meet New Hampshire's standards. New definitions are introduced, including "qualifying jurisdiction," which refers to any state that meets the established standards, and "state," which encompasses all states, territories, and possessions of the United States, including the District of Columbia. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 263:29
As Amended by the Senate: 263:29
Version adopted by both bodies: 263:29
HB1758 text: 263:29