Bill > H475

This bill amends existing law to require school districts to provide transportation to charter schools located within their district for students who reside there, on the same terms as transportation for students attending local district schools, if the charter school requests it. The charter school and the district must collaborate on planning bus routes and school schedules to ensure cost-effective transportation, with the district initially responsible for the full cost. However, if the district and charter school cannot agree on the charter school's start time, the cost will be split 50/50. The district is only responsible for transportation costs on days when both district and charter schools are in session, and they are not liable for costs incurred by charter schools using independent transportation vendors. If a district limits transportation for its own students, charter schools will be subject to the same limitations, such as travel distance or geographic boundaries. The bill also clarifies funding limitations for charter schools and outlines conditions for reimbursement for transportation costs, particularly for regional charter schools and students residing outside the charter school's municipality, with an exception for students living less than 1.5 miles away.