Legal Focus

On Nov. 25, 2020 Governor Wolf signed SB 1216/Act 136 which included language addressing school transportation subsidies for the 2020-2021 school year. The new law assures that Pennsylvania schools will receive a transportation subsidy payment from the Pennsylvania Department of Education equal to the amount allocated for the previous school year if the school pays their contracted transportation provider as if there were no COVID-19 interruptions in the 2020-2021 reduced school year minus varia...

Many schools continue to resist payments to school bus contractors, with some schools ignoring invoices, rejecting invoices, or paying unilaterally reduced amounts. As the 2020-2021 school year is underway, non-payment issues continue, leaving many school bus contractors wondering what to do. Fortunately, many states have Prompt Payment Laws that make public entities liable for interest and attorney’s fees if the public entity does not promptly pay invoices from contractors. These laws vary fro...

As remote learning in some form or another continues into the new school year contractors continue to face challenges getting paid for partial services and special operations due to coronavirus. This article suggests some ways to address these issues.

Now that the Payroll Protection Plan loans have started funding – the questions re: how to qualify for forgiveness and how to coordinate these funds with other benefits are on everyone’s mind. School bus contractors have their own unique difficulties in this area, especially in coordination with their contracts and the school year calendar. Just like the application process, the tax issues are as clear as mud in many regards. Some questions can be answered, but some just cannot, so far. So, Ri...

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) are two new federal laws with important implications for school bus contractors. The CARES Act directs schools to continue paying school bus contractors during Coronavirus school closures, enhances existing unemployment compensation benefits, and makes loans and grants available to businesses during Coronavirus school closures. The Families First Act modifies the Family Medi...

Many contractors use school vehicles such as vans or multi-function school activity buses (MFSABs) to transport students. As public awareness of the dangers of illegal passing have increased, the roadway presence and proper operation of school vehicles that do not have stop arms and eight way lights have received increased scrutiny from schools, parents, police, and others. This article will discuss how to reconcile the often competing issues of public perception, legal compliance, and location ...

The school bus driver shortage has become a nationwide issue that has even resulted in some schools canceling instructional days. All school bus contractors have been faced with this issue and regularly struggle with keeping drivers behind the wheel. Operators have tried bonus programs, referral programs, and free CDL training. Despite these efforts, the driver shortage continues. Following is a novel approach that could provide some relief by removing a common barrier to entry that discourages ...