8-2721. Same; contracts with boards of education to transport students; requirements. (a) The board of education of a school district may contract with a transportation network company to transport eight persons or fewer to and from school or school-related activities, where appropriate, as the contract with the transportation network company may establish.

(b) In addition to the requirements of this act for transportation network companies and transportation network company drivers, the board of education of a school district may establish additional requirements in the contract with the transportation network company. The department of education, in consultation with a transportation network company that will provide services pursuant to this section, may issue guidance to school districts contracting with a transportation network company to provide transportation services.

(c) Transportation network companies shall:

(1) Require transportation network company drivers providing services pursuant to this section to undergo a criminal history record check pursuant to K.S.A. 75-712i, and amendments thereto; and

(2)  obtain and review a driving history research report for each transportation network company driver providing services pursuant to this section.

(d) A transportation network company that provides transportation services pursuant to this section shall provide an annual safety report to the state board of education for any safety incidents that occurred in the previous calendar year.

(e) A transportation network company shall name as an additional insured on such transportation network company's insurance policy any school district that contracts with such transportation network company to provide transportation services pursuant to this section.

(f) The Kansas transportation network company services act and the contract between the board of education of a school district and the transportation network company shall exclusively govern the services provided pursuant to this section, and all rules and regulations of the state board of education concerning the transportation of students shall not apply.

(g) The board of education of a school district that contracts for school transportation services pursuant to this section shall:

(1) Provide notice to the parent or guardian of a student that such student will be riding with a transportation network company;

(2) provide an annual disclaimer to the parent or guardian of a student that may be transported by a transportation network company that the school district uses transportation network company services for school transportation purposes and that the relationship between the school district and the transportation network company is governed by a contract and not the rules and regulations of the state board of education;

(3) permit the parent or guardian of a student to not allow such student to ride with a transportation network company; and

(4) maintain insurance coverage or endorsement for students transported by a transportation network company that covers the students as though the students were in the care, custody and control of the school district even when being transported by a transportation network company.

(h) This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the Kansas transportation network company services act.

History: L. 2022, ch. 67, § 1; July 1.