Legal Focus

Many contractors begin services by only providing intrastate operations within their home state. However, contractors are often presented with lucrative opportunities that include providing services outside of their home state. There are a number of additional requirements for a school bus contractor who wishes to provide transportation services across state lines. This article will discuss the requirements needed for a business to begin operations through interstate commerce.

A new law passed along with this year's state budget on June 22, 2018, adds language to Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949, 24 P.S. § 1-121

The increased presence of drugs and alcohol has become a common topic of discussion, not only in the media, but in the workplace as well. While the country as a whole faces epidemic proportions of overdose cases each year, employers are confronted on a daily basis with a myriad of intoxication levels, including legal levels. Employers must take steps each and every day to ensure a safe work place, minimize accidents and losses, and consistently apply a written drug and alcohol policy. This artic...

Often contractors provide interstate transportation or are presented with potential opportunities to provide such services. However, many contractors do not know the requirements to operate interstate legally. One requirement is registering with the Unified Carrier Registration System (“UCR”). Since school bus contractors transporting students to and from school and school-sanctioned activities are required to register with the UCR if they cross state lines, it is important to understand how t...

In 2018, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), wil impose a new requirement on School Districts to report per-pupil expenses for student transportation. But, schools often don't recognize all of the true costs of transportation. Schools evaluating and comparing transportation cost generally consider the costs of fuel and buses, but often miss underlying transportation costs or costs that may be combined into other areas of a school districts budget. When schools understand the true cots ...

A fuel clause is language in a contract which allows the contractor and the district to share the risk of steep increases or decreases in fuel prices. The fuel clause is typically put into place for diesel fuel and gasoline, however, if your vehicles are using alternative fuels such as propane or electric, you may also want to consider a fuel clause for these fuels. Most fuel clauses address the risk of rising fuel costs. But, recent history has seen both increases and decreases in fuel costs. T...

Over the years, people nationwide have become more aware of the negative health and environmental effects of diesel emissions. As a result, federal and state Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) are taking steps to prevent health issues related to diesel emissions. This article provides helpful insights into Pennsylvania's idling restrictions.