Relating to school buses and other vehicles used to transport pupils

Under current law, every vehicle operated for the transportation of children to or from school is considered a school bus, with limited exceptions including new or used motor vehicles designed to carry not more than persons as passengers, including the driver, or used passenger vans designed to carry not more than persons as passengers, including the driver, which are used to transport pupils to activity events or in emergency situations if the vehicle is operated by an approved employee of the school district. This bill instead excludes from the definition of “school bus” all new or used motor vehicles designed to carry not more than persons as passengers, including the driver, which are used to transport pupils to activity events in which the pupils are participants, or used to transport pupils to their homes in case of illness or other emergency situations.373. In accordance with current law, the vehicles must be operated by employees of the school district who are specifically approved by the local superintendent of schools for the assignment.4(2)(g)). The bill requires DE rules to authorize the use of vehicles modified or manufactured to accommodate wheelchair access with or without the use of a ramp.