Ch. 172

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article - Education

7-804.

(A) IN THIS SECTION, "SCHOOL VEHICLE" HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
11-154 OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE.

[(a)] (B) (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2)] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3)
of this subsection, unless it fails to meet the applicable school bus and motor vehicle
safety standards, a [conventional school bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE may be operated for
12 years.

(2)     (I) In Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, unless it fails
to meet the applicable school bus and motor vehicle safety standards, a [conventional
school bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE may be operated for 15 years.

(II) A SCHOOL VEHICLE OPERATING UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF
THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE MAINTAINED AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS
SECTION.

(3)      ANY SCHOOL VEHICLE IN OPERATION OR ACCEPTED BEFORE JULY 1,
2004, OR UNDER CONTRACT TO BE PURCHASED BEFORE JULY 1, 2004, THAT MEETS
THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE
ADMINISTRATION FOR TRANSIT STYLE SCHOOL VEHICLES MAY BE OPERATED FOR 15
YEARS.

[(b)](C) Notwithstanding the 12-year limitation in subsection [(a)(1)] (B)(1)
of this section, a [conventional school bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE may be operated for
additional years if:

(1)     The [bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE is maintained under a preventive
maintenance plan approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration and the Automotive
Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of State Police that includes an
inspection at the end of the 12th year and a minimum of 2 inspections by the Motor
Vehicle Administration each year thereafter;

(2)     Any structural repairs to the [bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE necessitated
by accident, metal fatigue, or any other cause are certified by an independent expert
approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration to meet or exceed the manufacturer's
original manufacturing standards;

(3)     The [bus] SCHOOL VEHICLE is equipped with:

(i) The body originally placed on the [bus] chassis by the
manufacturer;

(ii) An 8 light warning system;

(iii) A left side stop arm;

(iv) A fire-retardant driver's seat;

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