Public Hearing Notice  Public Hearing and Public Comment Notice - School Pupil (7D) Regulations

Public Hearing and Public Comment Notice

Pursuant to the authority in MGL c. 6C and MGL c. 90, and in accordance with MGL c. 30A, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation – Registry of Motor Vehicles (“MassDOT”) will hold a public hearing remotely on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, relative to the adoption of amendments to regulations:

1. 540 CMR 7.00 – Minimum Standards for Construction and Equipment of School Buses and Minimum Standards for School Pupil Transport Vehicles

Regulation 540 CMR 7.00 is adopted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles  pursuant to MGL c. 90, §§ 7A, 7C and 31 to establish uniform standards for the construction, maintenance and inspection of school buses and to establish minimum standards for school pupil transport vehicles as described in MGL c. 90, § 7D.  The proposed changes which were filed as emergency regulations on August 24, 2020, address changes to rules and regulations relating to safety standards for school pupil transport vehicles; specifically, the location of the seatbelt cutter in the vehicle, installation of child monitoring systems, and limiting the vehicle seating capacity to ten passengers.

2. 540 CMR 21.00 – Semiannual Safety Inspection of School Pupil Transport Vehicles.

Regulation 540 CMR 21.00 is adopted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles pursuant to MGL c. 90, §§ 7A and 31 to establish semiannual safety inspection criteria for school pupil transportation vehicles under MGL c. 90, § 7D to be performed by licensed safety inspection stations.   The proposed changes which were filed as emergency regulations on August 24, 2020, address changes to rules and regulations for the semiannual safety inspections of school pupil transport vehicles; specifically, identification lettering on the exterior of the vehicle, securing the fire extinguisher, installation of child monitoring systems, and limiting the vehicle seating capacity to ten passengers.

Due to the coronavirus emergency, MassDOT is holding this public hearing remotely on the date and time specified above.  To join the remote hearing online, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2185976860554119950. 

Once registered, you will receive an email with the GoToWebinar link + call in numbers.  To join the remote hearing by phone, call 1-877-309-2074 and enter Access Code: 219-459-942.

Individuals who notify MassDOT of their intent to testify during the hearing will be afforded an earlier opportunity to speak.  Speakers are strongly encouraged to notify MassDOT of their intention to testify at the hearing by emailing Eileen.Fenton@dot.state.ma.us  with the subject line “Regulation Hearing Comment – 540 CMR 7.00 and 540 CMR 21.00.”  Individuals may also submit written testimony by emailing Eileen.Fenton@dot.state.ma.us with the subject line “Regulation Hearing Comment – 540 CMR 7.00 and 540 CMR 21.00.” or by mail to:  

Eileen M. Fenton, Esq.

Managing Counsel – Corporate & Regulatory

MassDOT/ MBTA Legal

10 Park Plaza, Suite 3510

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

A current draft of the proposed actions may be obtained by emailing Eileen.Fenton@dot.state.ma.us

All written comments must be submitted by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. 

This hearing is accessible to participants with disabilities. For accommodation or language assistance requests, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity & Civil Rights Officer by phone at (857) 368-8580, TTD/TTY at (857) 266 0603, fax (857) 368 0602 or by email to MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us.  Requests should be made as soon as possible, ideally at least ten business days before the hearing.

MassDOT may adopt a revised version of the proposed action taking into account relevant comments received and any other practical alternatives that come to its attention.