18A:39-20.1 Transportation of students in certain vehicles.

1. a. Notwithstanding any statute or regulation to the contrary, any board of education, governing body of a nonpublic school or State agency may authorize qualified school personnel, State employees or parents, to transport school children to and from related school activities in a private vehicle with a capacity of eight or less. Any person authorized by a board, body or agency to provide such transportation services shall not be required to be licensed or regulated as a school bus driver. Such transportation shall be exempt from all registration, equipment, inspection and maintenance requirements imposed on the transportation of pupils by school bus.

b. Notwithstanding any statute or regulation to the contrary, any board of education, governing body of a nonpublic school or State agency may authorize a person certified as a mobility assistance vehicle technician to transport a student with medical needs to and from school or related school activities in a mobility assistance vehicle. Any certified mobility assistance vehicle technician authorized by a board, body or agency to provide such transportation services shall not be required to be licensed or regulated as a school bus driver. Such transportation shall be exempt from all registration, equipment, inspection and maintenance requirements imposed on the transportation of students by a school bus.

Each year prior to transporting students, a certified mobility assistance vehicle technician who transports a student with medical needs in accordance with this section shall furnish to the executive county superintendent a criminal history background check and evidence of a check for the technician's record of alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations .

For the purposes of this subsection, "student with medical needs," means a school-aged child who suffers from a life-threatening medical condition, and as a result of such condition, requires more individualized and continuous care.

L.1981, c.51, s.1; amended 2015, c.268.