2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 28 - Transportation › § 28-900 - School transportation rules

28-900.
School transportation rules
A. The department of public safety in consultation with the student transportation advisory council established by section 28-3053 shall adopt rules as necessary to improve the safety and welfare of student passengers by minimizing the probability of accidents involving school buses and student passengers and by minimizing the risk of serious bodily injury to student passengers in the event of an accident.
B. The rules may include:
1. Minimum standards for the design and equipment of school buses that are designed for sixteen or more passengers.
2. Minimum standards for the periodic inspection and maintenance of school buses that are designed for sixteen or more passengers.
3. Procedures for the operation of school buses that are designed for sixteen or more passengers.
4. Minimum standards for the design and equipment of motor vehicles described in section 15-925 that are substantially different than the minimum standards prescribed in paragraph 1 of this subsection.
5. Minimum standards for the periodic inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles described in section 15-925.
6. Procedures for the operation of motor vehicles described in section 15-925.
7. Other criteria as deemed by the department of public safety and the student transportation advisory council to be necessary and appropriate to ensure the safe operation of school buses and motor vehicles that are described in section 15-925. Any rules adopted pursuant to this section shall allow for a variety of vehicles to be used to meet the needs of students and systems of varying sizes and locations.
C. The rules shall provide,  if applicable,  minimum standards equal to or more restrictive than those adopted by the United States department of transportation in accordance with 23 United States Code and rules adopted pursuant to 23 United States Code.
D. Notwithstanding a rule adopted by the department of public safety with respect to exterior color of a school bus that is designed for sixteen or more passengers,  in order to reduce the interior temperature of a school bus,  the exterior top of a school bus may be painted white,  but the white area shall not extend beyond the center clearance lights,  front and rear,  and shall not extend below a line five inches above the top of the side windows.
E. An officer or employee of any school district or charter school who violates any of the rules or who fails to include the obligation to comply with the rules in any contract executed by the officer or employee on behalf of the school district or charter school is guilty of misconduct and is subject to removal from office or employment. Any person who operates a school bus or motor vehicle under contract with a school district or charter school and who fails to comply with any of the rules is in breach of contract,  and the school district or charter school shall cancel the contract after notice and a hearing by the responsible officers of the school district or charter school.
F. The department of public safety shall enforce the rules adopted pursuant to this section.