This amendment is to update the 2020 edition of the Florida School Bus Safety Inspection Manual for 2024 to coincide with the updated Florida School Bus Specifications, effective January 1, 2024. New technologies for electric ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-3.0171Responsibilities of School Districts for Student Transportation

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This amendment is to update the 2020 edition of the Florida School Bus Safety Inspection Manual for 2024 to coincide with the updated Florida School Bus Specifications, effective January 1, 2024. New technologies for electric school buses necessitate related changes to inspection criteria and procedures, requiring periodic revisions of this publication to ensure school buses remain safe for student transportation. Restrictions previously limiting the use of vehicles other than school buses for student transportation to and from school and school activities were relaxed during the 2023 legislative session with the passing of HB 1, making it necessary to adopt rules to define vehicles that are allowed for student transportation and how such vehicles shall be maintained to ensure student safety.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed amendment addresses which vehicles are allowed for transporting students, and by whom, how often and how such vehicles are to be inspected, and which records are to be kept.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 316.615, 1001.02(1), 1003.31, 1006.21, 1006.22, 1012.45, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 316.615, 1003.31, 1006.22, 1012.45, F.S.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Mark Eggers, Assistant Deputy Commissioner. [e-mail], [phone]. To comment on this rule development or to request a rule development workshop, please go to https://web02.fldoe.org/rules or contact: Chris Emerson, Director, Office of Executive Management, email [e-mail].

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS: Available at https://web02.fldoe.org/rules.