Section 21-1118 - School bus regulations. - Maryland Statutes

§ 21-1118. School bus regulations.
 

(a)  Operation of school bus.- The driver of a school bus: 

(1) Is responsible for its operation; and 

(2) May not drive it into any roadway without first stopping and determining that there is no danger from any other vehicle. 

(b)  Responsibility for pupils.- The person responsible for any pupils on a school bus is: 

(1) The teacher on the bus; or 

(2) If a teacher is not present, the driver. 

(c)  Conduct of pupils.- A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not permit the number of standing pupils to exceed one pupil for each part of the aisle that is bounded on both sides by forward facing seats. 

(d)  Permitting pupils to stand on certain buses.- A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not permit any pupil to stand if the school bus is equipped only with lengthwise or a combination of lengthwise and forward facing seats. 

(e)  Permitting pupils to stand in front of stanchion and guardrail.- A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not permit any pupil to stand in front of the stanchion and guardrail. 

(f)  Permitting pupils to operate front door opening mechanism.- A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not permit any pupil to operate the front door opening mechanism, except in an emergency. 

(g)  Requiring pupils to sit on floor.- A person responsible for pupils on a school bus may not require any pupil to sit on the floor. 

(h)  Fueling bus.- Except for the driver and any fuel station attendant, a person may not occupy a school bus while it is being supplied with fuel. 

(i)  Transportation of handicapped children.- Either the driver or an adult aide assigned to each school vehicle that is used to transport handicapped children shall be certified as having successfully completed a first aid-safety course approved by the Department of Education. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 661/2, § 11-1118; 1977, ch. 14, § 2; 1979, ch. 114; 1986, ch. 472, § 1.]