HF4063

Purpose

This bill aims to improve school-bus safety and administration in Minnesota. It makes changes to stop requirements for vehicles approaching school buses, updates equipment requirements (especially first aid kits), requires USDOT numbers for school-bus operations, clarifies bus definitions, and allows school buses to be used on public roads for training purposes.

Main Provisions

• Modifying stopping rules around school buses

  • When a school bus is stopped with the stopsign arm extended and red lights flashing, vehicles must stop at least 20 feet away and may not move until the arm retracts and red lights stop flashing.
  • When a bus displays prewarning amber lights, drivers are warned that red lights will soon be shown, and vehicles must not encroach within 20 feet of the bus.

• USDOT number requirement

  • Any person, district, or operator providing school transportation using a school bus must obtain and use a USDOT number to track inspections.

• First aid kit and body fluids cleanup kit

  • A minimum of a ten-unit first aid kit and a body fluids cleanup kit must be available in a removable, moisture- and dustproof container located in an accessible spot within the driver’s compartment and clearly labeled.

• Training use of school buses

  • The bill clarifies that school buses can be used on public roads for training purposes, including training employees and others under an agreement with a school or school district.

Key Definitions and Section Details

• School bus definitions

  • The bill defines a school bus to include types A, B, C, D, and multifunction school activity buses, and type III vehicles under specific conditions. It also lists vehicles that are not considered school buses (e.g., certaincharter, transit, or non-qualifying type III vehicles).
  • Type III vehicles are limited to passenger vehicles or buses with 10 or fewer seats (including the driver) and a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; they must not be outwardly labeled as school buses.

• Appearance restrictions on non-school buses

  • Buses not used as school or Head Start buses may not be painted in a color that mimics school buses, nor may they be equipped with school-bus-related equipment or printing.
  • There are exceptions for buses owned by/contracted to a school district under charter or lease, and for certain child care or training-school scenarios (with labeling and other conditions). Violations are treated as misdemeanors.
  • Specific provisions allow child care buses to avoid certain requirements if they are clearly identified as child-care buses and meet other conditions.

• NSTSP alignment and phased kit requirements

  • A first aid kit meeting the current NSTSP (National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures) must be provided in model year 2027 and newer vehicles.
  • All other vehicles may use a ten-unit kit per existing Minnesota rules or NSTSP.
  • By January 1, 2030, all type III vehicles must have an NSTSP-compliant first aid kit.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a uniform 20-foot stopping rule for vehicles approaching school buses, tightening previous guidance on how closely other vehicles may approach.
• Establishes a USDOT-number requirement for tracking inspections of all school-bus transportation operations.
• Introduces explicit NSTSP-based first aid kit requirements with a phased implementation (2027+ for new vehicles; 2030 for all type III vehicles).
• Clarifies and expands definitions of school buses and related vehicle types, including distinct rules for non-school buses that might resemble school buses (appearance restrictions and exemptions).
• Expands authorized use of school buses on public roads for training purposes, including training of school staff and other personnel.

Compliance & Implementation

• School districts and operators will need to ensure all drivers and vehicles comply with the 20-foot stopping rule and amber-light protections.
• Operators must obtain and maintain USDOT numbers for tracking inspections.
• Vehicle fleets must equip appropriate first aid and body fluids cleanup kits, with NSTSP-compliant options required for newer models starting in 2027 and fully for type III vehicles by 2030.
• Non-school buses that resemble school buses must adhere to appearance restrictions or follow the specified exemptions.

Relevant Terms - school bus - Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D - multifunction school activity bus (MSAB) - Type III vehicle - stopsign arm - red lights - prewarning amber lights - 20 feet (stop distance) - USDOT number - NSTSP (National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures) - first aid kit - body fluids cleanup kit - GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) - vehicle classifications and exemptions (charter, Head Start, child care bus) - training on public roads - Minnesota Rules 1993 part 3520.5120