575 IAC 1-5.5-1 General requirements

Sec. 1. (a) A bus constructed and designed for transporting children with disabilities must comply with the standards outlined in 575 IAC 1-9. Modifications to some of the standards are necessary to accommodate the special equipment necessary to transport students with disabilities. (b) Any school bus used to transport a child confined to a wheelchair or other device that prohibits the use of the regular passenger service door must be equipped with a power lift. If a special unloading device is needed for unusual circumstances, a waiver from the school bus committee is required. (c) A bus transporting more than two (2) wheelchair-confined students must have at least a one hundred forty (140) amp alternator. (d) All special needs children must be properly and appropriately restrained for safe transportation. Special needs children means children defined under IC 20-35. (e) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards referred to in this rule are found at 49 CFR Ch. V (10-1-89 Edition), Part 571, and are herein incorporated and made a part of this rule by reference. Copies of these federal standards are on file with the department of education or may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.