Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §5401, sub-§17 is enacted to read:

17.__Volunteer drivers.__To ensure the welfare and safety of students, a superintendent shall conduct a background check on each volunteer driver who transports students on behalf of the school administrative unit for any purpose authorized by this chapter.__A superintendent may not permit a volunteer driver to transport students on behalf of the school administrative unit unless the results of a background check provide information to verify that the volunteer driver:

A.__Holds a current and valid driver's license for operation of the class of motor vehicle that the driver will use to transport students on behalf of the school administrative unit;

B.__Holds a current and valid registration, inspection sticker and insurance coverage for the driver's motor vehicle that is used to transport students on behalf of the school administrative unit;

C.__Has not had a license revoked pursuant to Title 29-A, chapter 23, subchapter 5, within the preceding 6-year period;

D.__Has not received an operating-under-the-influence conviction, as defined in Title 29-A, section 2401, subsection 9, within the preceding 10-year period; and

E.__Has not been convicted in any state or federal court of a criminal offense involving the physical or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

SUMMARY

Current law requires that school employees or service providers under contract with a school administrative unit must undergo a criminal history record check. However, current statutes do not require schools to conduct an investigation or verification of a volunteer driver's driving, record or criminal history. This bill requires superintendents of a school administrative unit or a school union to complete a background check on each driver who transports students on behalf of the school administrative unit, including verification of the driver's driving record, criminal history and other relevant information.