Authority: IC 12-13-5-3

Affected: IC 9-19-11; IC 12-17.2-4

Sec. 73. The following rules apply to the transportation of children while under the care of the child care center in vehicles not owned or leased by the center:

(1) The center shall assume responsibility for a child between the place where the child is picked up and the child care center, and from the time the child leaves the child care center until they are delivered to their parent or the responsible person designated by their parents.

(2) The center shall do the following:

(A) Obtain signed parental permission to transport in a vehicle not owned by the center before providing transportation for a child.

(B) Maintain staff to child ratios when transporting children.

(C) Carry liability insurance to cover all children riding in the vehicle beyond the coverage provided by the vehicle owner.

(D) Not permit transportation of more children than the manufacturer's rated passenger capacity.

(E) Only permit children to be transported in vehicles that are smoke free.

(F) Not permit children to ride in the front seat of any vehicle.

(G) Assure that the driver is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and holds a proper license to operate the vehicle.

(3) Child care center staff shall instruct the driver of each vehicle to do the following:

(A) Not leave children in a vehicle unattended.

(B) Load and unload children from the curbside of the vehicle.

(C) Turn the vehicle off when loading or unloading children.

(D) Not permit children to open and close the vehicle doors.

(E) Lock the vehicle doors while the vehicle is in motion.

(4) Staff shall do the following:

(A) Visually inspect vehicles to assure they are in safe operating condition.

(B) Visually inspect vehicles to assure they are clean and free of obstructions on the floors, seats, and rear window area.

(C) Have in the vehicle an emergency medical authorization for all children, and emergency contact numbers for all occupants.

(D) Secure children in proper safety restraints, with one (1) child per restraint to comply with IC 9-19-11 while the vehicle is in motion.

(Division of Family Resources; 470 IAC 3-4.7-73; filed Aug 11, 2003, 3:00 p.m.: 27 IR 138; readopted filed Oct 24, 2007, 11:25 a.m.: 20071121-IR-470070448RFA; readopted filed Aug 23, 2013, 3:36 p.m.: 20130918-IR-470130306RFA; readopted filed Nov 13, 2019, 11:56 a.m.: 20191211-IR-470190490RFA; filed Oct 31, 2025, 10:48 a.m.: 20251126-IR-470250369FRA)