SF40

Purpose

• To authorize and govern third-party testing programs for school and transit drivers, allowing cross-district and cross-operator testing arrangements. The goal is to expand who can conduct tests, how testing is organized, and how the testers are overseen and paid for, while ensuring oversight and proper qualifications.

Main Provisions

• A school district that runs a third-party testing program may partner with other school districts to test those districts’ school bus driver employees.
• A transit operator that runs a third-party testing program may partner with other transit operators to test those operators’ transit bus driver employees.
• A third-party testing program can be reimbursed for its testing services by the tested drivers, the testing district/school bus company, or the transit operator.
• Any agreement made under this section must be submitted to the state commissioner for approval.
• A certified third-party tester must be employed by the school district or school bus company that provides the testing services.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Updates Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 171.3213 to explicitly allow cross-district and cross-operator third-party testing for school bus and transit drivers, respectively.
• Establishes a formal approval process with the commissioner for testing agreements.
• Requires that testers used in these programs be certified and employed by the providing district or company, ensuring certain professional standards.

Oversight and Implementation

• Agreements must be submitted to the commissioner for approval, creating an oversight mechanism.
• The bill specifies that only certified third-party testers employed by the providing district or school bus company may perform the testing.

What this means in practice

• More flexibility and capacity for driver testing by allowing neighboring districts and operators to share testing resources.
• Clear rules on who pays for testing and how approvals are handled.
• Emphasis on professional qualifications of testers and formal state oversight.

Relevant Terms - third-party testing program - school district - school bus company - transit operator - transit buses - school bus driver employees - transit bus driver employees - agreement - commissioner - approval - certified thirdparty tester - reimbursed - testing services