News & Insights

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.

“Hold Harmless”, “Defend”, “Indemnify” … what does it all really mean? This article explains contractual indemnity and will help you understand indemnity clauses. That is, who will be responsible for damages or injuries that may arise from performing the work of the contract?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains strigent requirements for drug and alcohol testing in addition employers should have effective written policies about testing and dealing with positive tests when they occur. Test accuracy, prescription medications, and other factors often arise as issues that must be considered and reconciled. This article will review a school bus contracto's responsibilities related to FMCSA Random Drug & Alcohol tests, as well as review h...

2018 will see the effects of many laws and regulations that that were passed in the last year. Following is a brief “year in review” highlighting the federal and state regulations that matter to Pennsylvania’s school bus contractors.

2018 will see the effects of many laws and regulations that that were passed in the last year. Following is a brief “year in review” highlighting the federal and state regulations that matter to Pennsylvania’s school bus contractors.

The PA Public School Code 24 P.S. §111-1 requires background checks for employees and independent contractors employed by public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational-technical schools. The list of disqualifying criminal offenses includes twenty-six criminal violations with no limit on the lookback period. This article discusses the existing state law and proposed federal legislation regarding DUI convictions that also have an unlimited lookback period.

In September 2017, Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) introduced H.R.3703, the No School Bus Drivers with DUIs Act, aimed at prohibiting state and local education agencies from hiring school bus drivers who have been previously convicted of a DUI. This bill stems from recent national news stories reporting on isolated incidents of poor background check protocols. The NSTA and related trade associations responded earlier this year to news reports circulated by CBS News alleging poor search practices, and ref...