AN ACT relating to school transportation and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 156.153 to permit schools to use non-school bus passenger vehicles designed for 10, instead of 9, or fewer passengers; limit statewide driver qualification, training, and drug testing requirements to drivers of non-school bus passenger vehicles along regular bus routes and permit local school boards to adopt district policies on the use of those vehicles to and from approved school activities; exclude parents transporting students to and from school pursuant to a compensation agreement from the requirements of the section; amend KRS 160.380 to conform; EMERGENCY.

Boards and Commissions Education, Elementary and Secondary Effective Dates, Emergency Teachers Transportation

Introduced: January 7, 2026

Last action: March 27, 2026

(Acts Ch. 7)

In effect since March 27, 2026

This act carries an emergency clause, so it took effect as soon as it became law instead of waiting the usual 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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This bill changes the rules for how Kentucky schools can transport students in smaller passenger vehicles. It raises the passenger limit for non-bus vehicles from 9 to 10, clarifies which drivers must meet state safety and drug testing requirements, and allows local school boards to set their own policies for using these vehicles for school activities. Parents who are paid to transport students under a compensation agreement are exempt from these requirements. The emergency declaration…

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