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School‑bus safety standards move to Department of Safety; new rules add crossing‑control arms and bus IDs
Summary
Rules shifting school‑bus specifications to the Department of Safety include a Tennessee addendum requiring crossing‑control arms, bus ID numbers and fuel‑source labeling; the committee approved the update. Officials said many changes reflect legislative direction.
The Department of Safety presented rules that adopt national school‑transportation specifications and add a Tennessee school‑bus addendum. The addendum requires crossing control arms, visible bus ID numbers on all sides and labeling for the bus fuel source.
Department counsel said the new standards respond to legislative direction and are consistent with existing requirements for school buses; several members asked about retrofit feasibility and whether smaller passenger vehicles used for special needs transport are affected. The department said the rules apply to vehicles with 16 or more occupants (including driver) and recommended the rule for committee approval.
