PURPOSE: The State Board of Education is required by law to adopt and enforce regulations for the design of all school buses used for the transportation of schoolchildren when owned and operated by any school district or privately owned and operated under contract with any school district in this state. This rule establishes the minimum requirements for the design of chassis and body used for school buses in the transportation of pupils.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. Therefore, the material which is so incorporated is on file with the agency who filed this rule, and with the Office of Secretary of State. Any interested person may view this material at either agency's headquarters or the same will be made available at the Office of Secretary of State at a cost not to exceed actual cost of copy reproduction. The entire text of the rule is printed here. This note refers only to the incorporated by reference material. (1) The 2002 Missouri Minimum Standards for School Buses, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule to reflect the changing needs of pupil transportation in Missouri, changes in national specifications for school buses and federal motor vehicle safety standards. The changes will enhance the safety of schoolchildren being transported in school buses.

1. (2) The minimum requirements for school bus chassis and body are divided into five (5) sections. Each section explains the specifications for the parts of a school bus. Section (1) deals with general provisions relative to administrative concerns. Section (2) defines the different types of school buses. Section
2. (3) explains the minimum specifications for a school bus chassis. Section (4) explains the minimum specifications for a school bus body. Section (5) explains the minimum specifications for a school bus equipped specifically to transport handicapped students.

AUTHORITY: section 304.060, RSMo 2000.* This rule was previously filed as 5 CSR 40-261.025. Original rule filed Feb. 23, 1981, effective Oct. 1, 1981. Amended: Filed Sept. 22, 1983, effective Feb. 15, 1984. Amended: Filed Oct. 29, 1986, effective March 1, 1987. Emergency amendment filed Sept. 21, 1990, effective Oct. 1, 1990, expired Jan. 28, 1991. Amended: Filed Sept. 21, 1990, effective March 14, 1991. Amended: Filed Dec. 21, 1992, effective July 8, 1993. Amended: Filed April 24, 1996, effective Dec. 30, 1996. Amended: Filed Nov. 20, 1996, effective May 30, 1997. Amended Filed March 21, 2001, effective Oct. 30, 2001.

*Original authority: 304.060, RSMo 1949, amended 1977, 1987, 1992.