The following is a compilation of the legal citations, statutes, rules and regulations governing the school transportation program in the state of Massachusetts, included are brief descriptions of the citations. These provisions are found in Code of Massachusetts Regulations and the Massachusetts General Laws. Anyone interested in the actual language of any reference, or for an interpretation of the reference, is encouraged to call the state director of school transportation at 617/388-3300, ext. 668.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS (MGL)

Chapter 71: Funding for Pupil Transportation<

Section 7A: Funding for Contracted School Transportation

Section 7B: Funding for District-provided School Transportation

Section 7C: Prohibitions against school transportation state funding for Regional Transit Authorities

MGL Chapter 90: School Transportation Operations

Section 1: Definition of School Pupil and School Bus

Section 7B: Equipment and Operation of School Buses

Section 7D: Equipment and Operation of Other School Transportation Vehicles

Section 7D1/2: Transportation of Vocational School Students

Section 7E: Display of Reg Lights on Certain Vehicles

Section 7L: Right of Municipalities to Prohibit Standees on School Buses

Section 7CC: Certain Requirements for Vehicles Carrying Special Needs Children

Section 8A: Licensing of School Bus Drivers

Section A1/2: Licensing of Operators of Vehicles Carrying Special Needs Pupils

Section 14: Motorists Required to Stop for School Bus Lights

Section 15: School Buses Required to Stop at Railroad Crossings

Chapter 90F: Commercial Driver License

CODE OF MASSACHUSETTS REGULATIONS (CMR)

540 CMR 7.00: Minimum Standards for Construction and Equipment of School Buses

540 CMR 8.00: School Bus Driver Training Programs: School Bus Driving Instructors

540 CMR 21:00 Standards for Equipping and Semi-annual Inspection of Vehicles Described in Chapter 90, Section 7D

Miscellaneous provisions:

MGL Chapter 71, Sec. 68: School Board Must Provide Certain Transportation

MGL Chapter 71B: School Board Must Provide, and State to Fund, Transportation of Special Needs Pupils

MGL Chapter 76, Sec. 1: School Board to Provide Transportation to Certain Pupils Attending Private Schools

MGL Chapter 76, Sec. 14: School Transportation for Pupils Living on Islands

Source:

• Massachusetts General Laws (MGL)
  
• Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR)

Last updated October 13, 1995.