The following operating procedures are required to assure maximum passenger safety:

1. (1) No school bus shall be operated unless each passenger aboard has been provided with a safe seat of sufficient size to accommodate each passenger within the seat compartment. There shall be no auxiliary seating accommodations such as temporary or folding jump seats in any school bus. Students shall remain seated while the school bus is in motion.
2. (2) Passengers in school buses equipped with seat belts shall be required to wear them properly adjusted whenever the school bus is in motion.

3. (3) Heavy, sharp, bulky, and/or other articles which may be hazardous in the event of an accident or an emergency stop shall not be transported unsecured in the passenger area of any school bus. Specific attention is directed to items such as skis, ski poles, vaulting poles, large musical instruments, riser platforms, etc. In no case will items be secured in such a manner as to impede access to any exit. Items which shall not be transported within the passenger area of a school bus include all forms of animal life (except service animals), firearms, weapons, breakable containers, flammables, and all other articles which could adversely affect the safety of the school bus and passengers.

   Teachers and all other school district staff members shall be annually notified that students shall not be requested to transport prohibited items between home and school on a school bus.

4. (4) When a teacher, coach, or other staff member is assigned to accompany students on a school bus, such person shall be responsible for the behavior of the students in his or her charge and shall ensure that passengers comply with state rules, and district policies and procedures for student transportation. However, the school bus driver shall have final authority and responsibility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.61.380. WSR 16-10-114, § 392-145-021, filed 5/4/16, effective 9/1/16; WSR 07-05-058, § 392-145-021, filed 2/20/07, effective 11/1/07.]