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 publication of the full text of the material that the adopting agency has incorporated by reference in this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. Therefore, the full text of that material will be made available to any interested person at both the Office of the Secretary of State and the office of the adopting agency, pursuant to section 536.031.4, RSMo. Such material will be provided at the cost established by state law.

1. (1) This rule incorporates by reference material titled 1997 Missouri Minimum Standards for School Buses, to reflect the changing needs of pupil transportation in Missouri, changes in national standards for school buses and federal motor vehicle safety standards. The changes will enhance the safety of schoolchildren being transported in school buses.
2. (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
3. (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 Supp. 1994.* 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.

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