Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 28 - EDUCATION › Part CLXI - Bulletin 137-Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations › Chapter 21 - Minimum Transportation Requirements and Standards › Section CLXI-2101 - General Requirements (Center-Provided, Parent-Provided or Contract Transportation)

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. These
				general transportation rules apply to all transportation, whether for field
				trips or daily transportation.
1.
				Transportation arrangements shall conform to all state laws, as amended,
				including but not limited to those requiring the use of seat belts and child
				restraints.
2. Only one child shall
				be restrained in a single safety belt.
3. The number of persons in a vehicle shall
				not exceed the manufacturers recommended capacity.
4. Children shall never be left unattended in
				a vehicle.
5. Each child shall
				enter and exit a vehicle from the curb side of the street or shall be escorted
				across the street.
6. Children
				shall not be transported more than 1 1/2 hours per trip on a routine
				basis.
7. Children shall not be
				transported to prevent the center from being over capacity.
8. Vehicles shall be maintained in good
				repair.
9. Each vehicle shall have
				evidence of a current safety inspection.
10. First aid supplies shall be located in
				each center vehicle or contracted vehicle. First aid supplies (at least one per
				trip) shall be available for each field trip when parents provide
				transportation.
11. Center
				emergency information shall be prominently posted in each vehicle and shall
				provide the name of the director and the name, phone number and address of the
				center.
12. The use or possession
				of alcohol or tobacco in any form, illegal substances, unauthorized toxic
				substances or firearms of any kind is prohibited in any vehicle used to
				transport children.
13. The center
				shall maintain a copy of a valid appropriate Louisiana or other state-issued
				driver's license for all individuals who drive vehicles used to transport
				children, whether said drivers are staff members or contracted
				drivers.
14. Centers shall maintain
				at all times current commercial liability insurance for the operation of center
				vehicles to ensure medical coverage for children in event of accident or
				injury. This policy shall extend coverage to any staff member who provides
				transportation for any child in the course and scope of his/her employment. The
				provider is responsible for payment of medical expenses of a child injured
				while in the centers care. Documentation shall consist of the insurance policy
				or current binder that includes the name of the early learning center, the name
				of the insurance company, policy number, period of coverage and explanation of
				coverage. If transportation is provided by parents for field trips or
				transportation is provided by contract, whether daily of field trip, a copy of
				the current liability insurance shall be maintained on file at the center.
15. Centers using contract
				transportation shall maintain a copy of the written contract that includes an
				express provision stating that the contractor shall comply with all state laws
				and regulations, as amended, regarding motor vehicles, including but not
				limited to seat belts and child restraints.
16. Child Safety Alarm. In accordance with
				R.S.
				32:295.3.1, a center may have a child safety
				alarm installed in any vehicle that has a seating capacity of six or more
				passengers in addition to the driver. This vehicle has to be owned or operated
				by the early learning center, its owner, operator, or employees and used to
				transport children to or from the early learning center. The child safety alarm
				is an ignition-based alarm system that voice prompts the driver to inspect the
				vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle and shall be installed by a
				person or business that is approved by the manufacturer of the child safety
				alarm. An owner or director of an early learning center who elects to have a
				child safety alarm installed in a vehicle owned or operated by the early
				learning center shall ensure that the child safety alarm is properly maintained
				and in good working order each time the vehicle is used for transporting
				children to or from an early learning center.