LAC 28:CXIII.1909. Alternate Means of Transportation

A. A local public school board may contract with a transportation network company to transport students under the age of eighteen to or from a school or school related activity when the transportation network company is in compliance with R.S. 17:166.1. B. Driver Requirements. 1. The driver is at least twenty-one years of age and possesses a valid Louisiana driver’s license for a minimum of three years. 2. The driver has undergone a background check process which includes: a. a national and state fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information in the Office of State Police pursuant to R.S. 15:587.1 and R.S. 17:15; and b. a clear Louisiana DCFS child abuse and neglect screen. 3. The company shall provide child safety education to the driver, to include: a. safe driving practices; b. first aid and CPR; c. special considerations for transporting students with disabilities; d. safe pick-up and drop-off procedures; and e. laws on proper child restraint systems. C. Minimum Safety and Technology Requirements. 1. The company shall implement a technology-enabled solution that: a. provides end-to-end viability of the ride and GPS tracking of the ride in real-time for the company, the passenger’s legal guardian, and if different from the legal guardian, the person or entity who scheduled the ride; b. monitors the ride in real-time for safety-related anomalies; and c. provides the passenger’s legal guardian with the ability to contact the driver and the company directly. 2. The company shall implement ride-tracking technology that allows for the detection of the following driving behaviors: a. device use; b. speeding; c. hard turning; d. hard braking; e. hard acceleration; and f. collision detection. D. Vehicle Minimum Standards. The company shall ensure that vehicles used to provide services are vehicles originally designed for not more than eight passengers, including the driver; no more than thirteen years old; and annually inspected by a mechanic. 1. The driver shall complete and document a daily pre-trip inspection before providing a ride pursuant to a contract. 2. The pre-trip inspection shall list any defects of deficiencies which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle. Prior to performing services, any noted defects or deficiencies listed in the annual or pre-trip inspection shall be repaired or corrected. 3. If no defects or deficiencies are discovered by or reported to the driver, the documented inspection shall so indicate. E. The company shall maintain commercial automotive insurance that does not contain an exclusion for the transportation of an unaccompanied minor. F. The company shall publish an annual safety report on its website.