R277-601-3. Standards

  A. The local board and school district personnel shall act consistent with the manual entitled STANDARDS FOR UTAH SCHOOL BUSES AND OPERATIONS, 2010, which includes information received from Utah school districts, the Utah Transportation Commission, and the Utah Department of Public Safety and is available at each department or agency. The STANDARDS shall include the following:

  (1) Electronic and telecommunications devices

  (a) A school bus operator's primary responsibility, consistent with training and policy, is the safety of passengers and the safety of the public at all times.

  (b) A school bus operator shall not use a cell phone, wireless electronic device, or any headset, earpiece, earphones or other equipment that might distract a driver from his responsibilities, whether hand held or not, while the school bus is in motion and not appropriately parked or secured. This prohibition does not apply to the safe and appropriate use of two-way radios or to mounted, GPS systems. All school districts and public schools that regularly transport students shall maintain documentation of training for bus drivers and employees in the safe and appropriate use of two-way radios.

  (c) Once the bus is stopped and safely parked, a school bus operator may use an electronic device for emergencies, to assist special needs students, for behavior management, for appropriate assistance for field/activity trips or for other business-related issues.

  (d) A school bus operator may use an electronic device for personal use once a school bus is safely parked, appropriately secured and all passengers are safely off and at a safe distance from the bus, consistent with school district policy.

  (e) Any violation of these provisions for emergency or compelling reasons may require documentation and will be addressed by the employing education entity.

  (f) Violations of these provisions may result in personnel action(s) against the school bus operator consistent with school district/employer policies.

  (g) Private contractors employed by school districts for student transportation shall also adhere strictly to these provisions in addition to the policies of the employer.

  (2) End of bus route inspection

  (a) At the end of a student delivery, both during the day and after the final route of the day, a school bus operator shall complete the delivery, stop and park the bus, and insure that all students are off the bus.

  (b) Where possible, this inspection shall be completed at each school site when delivering students to school.

  (c) Following each from-school route of the day, the bus operator shall complete the same type of inspection at a safe location a short distance from where the final student(s) left the bus. If children are found on the bus, they shall be immediately returned to their assigned bus stop location or to an alternate location, consistent with district policy, with express permission from the parents(s).