2021 -- H 6179

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LC002489

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES – DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representative Thomas E. Noret

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2021

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-2 of the General Laws entitled “Division of Motor Vehicles” is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-2-29. Student transportation by out-of-state providers - Temporary authorization.

     (a) Notwithstanding any provisions of the general or public laws to the contrary, the Rhode

Island department of education (RIDE) may utilize student transportation drivers and/or student

transportation vehicles as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section for a period of up to

thirty (30) days when there is a shortage of available providers with drivers and for student

transportation vehicles to provide adequate service for the statewide school transportation system,

pursuant to chapters 21, 21.1, and 24 of title 16, and the provision of adequate service is prevented,

hindered, impaired, or otherwise delayed by:

     (1) The termination, cancellation, rescission, nullification, or expiration of a contract or

agreement with a person or entity providing services in support of the statewide school

transportation system;

     (2) A disaster, as defined in § 30-15-3, that has occurred, or the occurrence of which, or

the threat thereof, is imminent; or

     (3) The occurrence of any other similar event that warrants the temporary relief provided

herein.

     (b)(1) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, RIDE may utilize student

transportation drivers currently licensed in Massachusetts or Connecticut to operate school buses,

as defined in § 31-1-3 (aa), provided:

     (i) The student transportation driver possesses a current, valid Massachusetts or

Connecticut commercial driver's license with "P" and "S" endorsements and a current, valid

Massachusetts school bus certificate if licensed in Massachusetts;

     (ii) RIDE shall verify with the assistance of the contracted bus vendor the licenses and

certificate required by subsection (b)(1)(i) of this section with the appropriate licensing authority;

and

     (iii) The student transportation driver obtains a Rhode Island school bus certificate within

thirty (30) days after the date he or she begins operating school buses in Rhode Island.

     (2) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, RIDE may utilize student

transportation drivers currently licensed in Massachusetts or Connecticut to operate pupil

transportation vehicles, as defined in § 31-22.1-1, provided:

     (i) The student transportation driver possesses:

     (A) A current, valid Massachusetts driver’s license and a current, valid Massachusetts

school pupil transport (7D) certificate; or

     (B) A current, valid Connecticut driver's license with a "V" endorsement;

     (ii) RIDE shall verify with the assistance of the contracted bus vendor the license and

certificate required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of this section with the appropriate licensing authority;

and

     (iii) The student transportation driver obtains a Rhode Island pupil transportation certificate

within thirty (30) days after the date he or she begins operating pupil transportation vehicles in

Rhode Island.

     (c) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, RIDE may utilize school

buses, as defined in § 31-1-3 (aa), and pupil transportation vehicles, as defined in § 31-22.1-1,

currently registered in Massachusetts or Connecticut provided:

     (1) Each school bus and pupil transportation vehicle has a current, valid Massachusetts or

Connecticut registration and inspection sticker;

     (2) Each school bus is covered by an insurance policy meeting the requirements of § 31-

22-10.1;

     (3) Each pupil transportation vehicle is covered by an insurance policy meeting the

requirements of § 39-14-18;

     (4) RIDE has verified with the assistance of the contracted bus vendor the registration,

inspection sticker, and insurance required by subsections (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this section

with the appropriate registration authority; and

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     (5) Each school bus and pupil transportation vehicle is registered in Rhode Island within

thirty (30) days after the date it first transports school children in Rhode Island.

     (d) Student transportation drivers authorized to operate vehicles by RIDE in compliance

with the provisions of this section shall only operate vehicles appropriate for their licensure.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES – DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

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     This act would allow RIDE to utilize Massachusetts and Connecticut licensed school bus

drivers to fulfill a shortage of Rhode Island bus drivers to meet all obligations of transportation of

students for a temporary period of time, up to thirty (30) days, following a disaster or other similar

event that warrants temporary relief.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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