News & Insights

As library managers know, managing employees is no easy task. When employee disciplinary issues arise, many employers get stumped on what type of discipline is appropriate. In response to more frequent or severe performance issues or misconduct, employers may feel they have no choice but to terminate the employee; however, some employers may recognize that termination is not always risk-free. In these circumstances, a last chance agreement can be used as an alternative to termination. Continue r...

RC Kelly Law Associates is proud to have joined the National School Transportation Association in its annual Bus-In advocacy visit to legislators in Washington DC this week. Richard Kelly, Matthew Jandrisavitz, and Brian Hill assisted school bus contractors from across the country in advocating for the Driving Forward Act to help school bus driver recruiting and retention by making the Under-the-Hood CDL Testing Exemption permanent, and the Break For Kids Act to have NHTSA move forward with deve...

Whether retirement is five years away or fifteen, succession and exit planning is one of the most important strategic steps a business owner can take to protect the value they’ve created and ensure their transition happens on their terms. Succession and exit planning is just about selling a business. It is a strategic process designed to maximize value, reduce risk, and prepare both the business and the owner for a successful transition, whether that transition involves passing the business to ...

Contractors may recall that FMCSA published an interim final rule regarding non-domiciled CDLs on September 29, 2025. The interim final rule was temporarily paused by the United Sates Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on November 10, 2025. Three days later, the same court granted an emergency motion for a stay pending appeal. FMCSA subsequently conducted formal notice-and-comment rulemaking. After receiving and reviewing comments, FMCSA published a final rule on non-domiciled...

On March 24, 2026, RC Kelly Law will participate in the Pennsylvania School Bus Association’s (PSBA’s) annual Legislative Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. Each year, RC Kelly Law and contractors from around the Commonwealth participate in this event to advocate for legislative support on issues that affect the school bus industry. Contractors who have not participated in this event previously should consider attending. Below, we briefly discuss why advocacy is crucial to the school bus in...

As school bus operators know, managing employees is no easy task. When employee disciplinary issues arise, many school bus operators get stumped on what type of discipline is appropriate. In response to more frequent or severe performance issues or misconduct, school bus operators may feel they have no choice but to terminate the employee; however, some employers may recognize that termination is not always risk-free. In these circumstances, a last chance agreement can be used as an alternative ...

When a school bus driver fails a drug or alcohol test, refuses to submit to required testing, or otherwise violates U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing regulations, a specific regulatory framework governs driver and employer obligations. Federal regulations require such drivers participate in the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program before they return to safety-sensitive duties. 49 C.F.R. §40.285(a). For school bus operators, understanding how this process works, and what ...