RI S2849

School districts that transport students outside district boundaries using their own buses or vendors at lower cost than the statewide transportation system may submit costs to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for state fund reimbursement

Districts using district-owned buses or district employees may apply for a variance from the Commissioner of Education to continue their current transportation arrangements

All transportation service contracts must provide payment to school bus drivers, attendants, monitors, and aides for at least 180 days or the contracted school year length

School committees and local education agencies must give equal-weight preference to transportation providers that use electric buses to the greatest extent

School committees and LEAs are prohibited from taking disciplinary action against bus personnel covered by collective bargaining agreements prior to investigation by the contracting entity, and cannot impose discipline exceeding what the collective bargaining agreement provides