Stopping requirements for vehicles approaching school buses modified, first aid kit requirements on school buses modified, USDOT numbers required for all school buses, and use of school buses on public roads for training purposes authorized.

A bill for an act

relating to transportation; modifying stopping requirements for vehicles approaching

school buses; modifying first aid kit requirements on school buses; requiring

USDOT numbers for all school buses; authorizing use of school buses on public

roads for training purposes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 169.011,

subdivision 71; 169.444, subdivision 1; 169.448, subdivision 1; 169.449, by adding

a subdivision; 169.454, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.011, subdivision 71, is amended to read:

Subd. 71.

School bus.

(a) "School bus" means a motor vehicle used to
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: (1)
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transport

pupils to or from a school defined in section
120A.22
, or to or from school-related activities,

by the school or a school district, or by someone under an agreement with the school or a

school district
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; or (2) provide training on the operation of the vehicle for the purposes

specified in clause (1) to employees of the school, school district, or a person under an

agreement with the school or school district
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. A school bus does not include a motor vehicle

transporting children to or from school for which parents or guardians receive direct

compensation from a school district, a motor coach operating under charter carrier authority,

a transit bus providing services as defined in section
174.22, subdivision 7
, or a vehicle

otherwise qualifying as a type III vehicle under paragraph (h), when the vehicle is properly

registered and insured and being driven by an employee or agent of a school district for

nonscheduled or nonregular transportation.

(b) A school bus may be type A, type B, type C, or type D, multifunction school activity

bus, or type III as provided in paragraphs (c) to (h).

(c) A "type A school bus" is a van conversion or bus constructed utilizing a cutaway

front section vehicle with a left-side driver's door. This definition includes two classifications:

type A-I, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than or equal to 14,500 pounds;

and type A-II, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 pounds and less than or equal to 21,500

pounds.

(d) A "type B school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door

is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: type B-I, with a

GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and type B-II, with a GVWR greater than

10,000 pounds.

(e) A "type C school bus" is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender

assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. A "type C school bus" also includes

a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab, with or without a left side door, and with

a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

(f) A "type D school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door

is ahead of the front wheels.

(g) A "multifunction school activity bus" is a school bus that meets the definition of a

multifunction school activity bus in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.3. A

vehicle that meets the definition of a type III vehicle is not a multifunction school activity

bus.

(h) A "type III vehicle" is restricted to passenger vehicles and buses having a maximum

manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or fewer people, including the driver, and a

gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. A "type III vehicle" must not be

outwardly equipped and identified as a type A, B, C, or D school bus or type A, B, C, or D

Head Start bus. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of ten or fewer and placed in

service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally manufactured to comply with

the passenger safety standards.

(i) In this subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the

manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.444, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Children getting on or off school bus.

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(a)
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When a school bus is stopped

on a street or highway, or other location where signs have been erected under section
169.443,

subdivision 2
, paragraph (b), and is displaying
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an extended stop-signal arm and
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flashing

red lights, the driver of a vehicle approaching the bus
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shall
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must
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stop the vehicle at least 20

feet away from the bus. The vehicle driver
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shall
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must
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not allow the vehicle to move until

the school bus stop-signal arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing.

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(b) A vehicle approaching a school bus displaying the prewarning flashing amber lights

is thereby warned that continued movement is being terminated and that the flashing red

lights are about to be exhibited when vehicular traffic must not encroach within 20 feet of

the school bus.

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Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.448, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Restrictions on appearance; misdemeanor.

(a) A bus that is not used

as a school bus must not be operated on a street or highway unless it is painted a color

significantly different than national school bus glossy yellow.

(b) A bus that is not used as a school bus or Head Start bus may not be operated if it is

equipped with school bus or Head Start bus-related equipment and printing.

(c) A violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(d) This subdivision does not apply to a school bus owned by or under contract to a

school district operated as a charter or leased bus.

(e) This subdivision does not apply to a school bus operated by a licensed child care

provider if:

(1) the stop-signal arm is removed;

(2) the lighting systems for prewarning flashing amber signals, flashing red signals, and

supplemental warnings under section
169.4503, subdivision 31
, are deactivated;

(3) the school bus is identified as a "child care bus" in letters at least eight inches high

on the front and rear top of the bus;

(4) the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or operator of the bus is

identified on each front door of the bus in letters not less than three inches high; and

(5) the conditions under section
171.02, subdivision 2a
, paragraphs (a) to (j) and (l),

have been met.

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(f) This subdivision does not apply to a bus operated by a licensed commercial driver

training school under sections 171.33 to 171.41. The bus's stop-signal arm, and lighting

systems for prewarning flashing amber signals, flashing red signals, and supplemental

warnings under section 169.4503, subdivision 31, must not be used on a public street or

highway.

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Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.449, is amended by adding a subdivision to

read:

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Subd. 3.

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USDOT number.

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Any person, district, or operator providing school

transportation using a school bus, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 71, must apply

for a USDOT number to be used for tracking inspections conducted pursuant to section

169.451.

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Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.454, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

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First aid kit and
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Body fluids cleanup kit.

A
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minimum of a ten-unit first aid

kit, and a
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body fluids cleanup kit is required.
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They
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The kit
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must be contained in
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a
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removable,

moisture- and dust-proof
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containers
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container
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mounted in an accessible place within the

driver's compartment and must be marked to indicate
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their
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the kit's
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identity
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and location
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.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.454, is amended by adding a subdivision to

read:

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Subd. 5a.

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First aid kit.

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A first aid kit meeting the requirements as defined in the current

version of the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP) must

be provided in vehicles model year 2027 and newer. All other vehicles may contain a

minimum of a ten-unit first aid kit, as specified in Minnesota Rules 1993, part 3520.5120,

or a first aid kit meeting the requirements of the NSTSP. After January 1, 2030, all type III

vehicles must be equipped with a first aid kit meeting the requirements of the NSTSP.

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