The Maine Department of Education is proposing to repeal and replace Chapter 81: Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine in order to modernize the rule.
The proposal involves four major changes:
- Change the format of the rule to separate the rule into shorter and cleaner regulations.
- Remove forms from the rule making it easier to adapt to national changes and align with the federal medical examination regulations.
- Update the bus specifications to meet current bus technology, standards, and specifications.
- Clarify safety, training, and program language to make the rule easier to interpret.
Proposed language of rule Chapters 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 can be found on the Department’s website. Written comments should be mailed to: Maine Department of Education, Attn: Pat Hinckley, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023, or emailed to pat.hinckley@maine.gov. The comment deadline is Friday, Jun. 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.