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HB 5420

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mia Ackerman and 9 co-sponsors

Raises the cap for pupil transportation vehicles from 8 to 10 passengers (plus the driver), allowing small-route school vans.

06/23/2025 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 5420

Summary — HB 5420 (AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PUPIL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES)

Status: Signed by Governor (06/23/2025) — Effective upon passage

Introduced: February 12, 2025
Filed: March 14, 2025
Sponsors: Reps. McNamara, Cortvriend, Corvese, Azzinaro, Phillips, Roberts, Shallcross Smith, Ackerman, Noret, and Donovan

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends the statutory definition of a "pupil transportation vehicle" used by school committees to carry students on fixed school routes so that such a vehicle may be designed to seat up to ten (10) passengers (plus the operator) instead of the prior limit of eight (8) passengers. The change is intended to allow slightly larger vehicles to be categorized as pupil transportation vehicles for routes with relatively small numbers of students.

Key Provisions

  • Amends R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22.1-1 (Chapter 31-22.1) — “Pupil transportation vehicle — Definition.”
  • Replaces the existing passenger limit of “not more than eight (8) passengers” with “not more than ten (10) passengers” (plus the operator).
  • Retains current scope: vehicles used by school committees to provide transportation required by law or regulation (citing §§ 16-21-1, 16-21.1-1 et seq., and 16-24-4) and intended for routes conveying only small numbers of students.
  • Effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.

Who is affected

  • School committees and local school districts (vehicle procurement, fleet composition, route planning).
  • Students and parents/users of school transportation on small routes.
  • School transportation directors and drivers (operational practices).
  • Vehicle vendors and manufacturers supplying pupil-transport vehicles.
  • Insurers and regulatory/inspection bodies responsible for vehicle safety and compliance.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Operational: Allows use of 10-passenger vans for small routes, which may reduce the number of trips or vehicles required and produce cost efficiencies.
  • Safety/compliance: Districts must still comply with applicable safety, inspection, occupant restraint (seat belt) and licensing requirements; any change in vehicle type could trigger review of safety standards, driver qualifications, and insurance coverage.
  • Procurement: Districts may adjust vehicle purchasing or leasing strategies to take advantage of the expanded capacity.

Legislative timeline (selected)

  • Introduced 02/12/2025 and referred to House Education.
  • House passed 03/25/2025.
  • Referred to and recommended by Senate Education; placed on Senate consent calendar.
  • Senate concurred 06/17/2025; transmitted to Governor.
  • Signed by Governor 06/23/2025; effective upon passage.

This is a narrow, definitional change that increases the allowed passenger capacity of school transport vehicles from 8 to 10 (plus driver), without otherwise altering school transportation duties or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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