Bill > H4011

This bill establishes a school transportation commission within the state education department to address pricing and transportation challenges for special education students, out-of-district students, and students experiencing homelessness. The commission will consist of 15 members, including representatives from the department, school committees, transportation providers, and advocacy groups focused on vulnerable student populations. The commission will develop a pricing structure with a daily price cap for private transportation contracts, considering factors like daily student transportation numbers, miles traveled, and prevailing wage rates. They will create regulations to better serve students in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or from migrant communities, and establish a system to ensure compliance with the new pricing guidelines. The commission will conduct annual reviews of transportation contracts, with more intensive oversight for contracts exceeding a specific financial threshold, and will assess the impact of transportation pricing on student educational experiences and outcomes. The education department will then use these assessments to make necessary adjustments to the transportation system to maintain effectiveness and equity.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4011