To require certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training for school bus operators and attendants. The effect would be increased readiness for life-threatening events that require immediate response.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-3.0121Responsibility of School District and Parents or Guardians for Students Who Are Transported at Public Expense

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To require certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training for school bus operators and attendants. The effect would be increased readiness for life-threatening events that require immediate response.

SUMMARY: This amendment will require certified CPR and first aid training for school bus operators and attendants.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has been prepared by the Agency.

School districts currently provide 40 hours of required preservice and eight hours of required annual in-service training to school bus operators. CPR and first aid training may be incorporated in the training hours already required and many school districts currently provide CPR and first aid training. Therefore, there will be minimal additional expenses and will not require legislative ratification.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), 1006.22(13), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.42(10), 1003.31(1)(d), 1006.10, 1006.22, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: July 17, 2019, start time TBD and posted at http://www.fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/meetings/ by July 3, 2019.

PLACE: Polk State College, Lakeland Campus, Technology Building, 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, Florida 33803.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mark Eggers, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Operations, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 814, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-3.0121 Responsibility of School District and Parents or Guardians for Students Who Are Transported at Public Expense.

(1) The school district shall determine safety measures to be used in the transportation of students, such as the designation of routes, bus turning areas, student stop locations, and the method of securement or positioning of students with special needs.

(2) The school district shall exercise additional specific powers and responsibilities as follows:

(a) The district shall provide bus operators and attendants instructions, in writing, as to any special conditions or non-medical care which a student may need while on the bus.

(b) The district shall instruct bus operators, and attendants if used, in their responsibilities for students who are transported at public expense as follows:

1. The operator or attendant of a bus transporting students shall remain with the bus so that students aboard will be under supervision at all times, except to call for assistance in case of an emergency or accident involving the students or bus.

2. In cases where a student with physical disabilities is unable to leave the area of a student stop without assistance, the school bus operator shall not assume responsibility for such assistance except in an emergency which threatens the safety of such student or students.

3. The operator and attendant shall be provided certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training along with other required pre-service training related to students prior to transporting students, and shall receive CPR and first aid refresher in-service training at least biennially; however, the operator and attendant shall not give medicine and shall limit his or her assistance to that which may normally be expected of a reasonable, prudent person or as specified in the student’s Individual Educational Plan. All operators and attendants whothat are employed and transporting students on or before the effective date of this rule must be provided certified CPR and first aid training by November 1, 2020.

(c) No change.

(1) through (3) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1006.22(13) FS. Law Implemented 1001.42(10), 1003.31(1)(d), 1006.10, 1006.22 FS. History–New 3-26-66, Amended 9-17-72, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Formerly 6A-3.121, Amended 11-15-94, 11-26-06, 4-25-17,_____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mark Eggers, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Operations.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 17, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 10, 2019