IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN
EARLY EDUCATION
AND CARE SETTINGS
EEC Board Meeting - December 13, 2011
Recommendations from the Special Committee
on Transportation
Final Board Vote of October 11, 2011:
The Board of Early Education and Care hereby approves the Special
Committee’s recommendations by:
• Enacting the transportation policy recommended by the Special
Committee that details the procedures for the drop-off and pickup of children by Transportation Providers and for
Parent/Program Notification in the event a child does not arrive at
a program;
• Reviewing the proposed Transportation Provider Performance
Standards for contract implementation in an expedited manner;
and
• Reviewing regulation amendments relative to the safe transport
of children to be presented to the Board in December, 2011.
Transportation Policy
 All EEC Licensed Providers notified on November 2, 2011 that
Transportation Policy to go into effect December 1, 2011
 Based upon several questions and issues raised by programs,
Transportation Providers, and public schools EEC reviewed and
revised Transportation Policy; issued November 28, 2011 with an
effective date of December 12, 2011
 Requires regulation amendment to include notification if child
fails to arrive at the program as scheduled
Provider Responsibility
The Early Education and Care Licensed Provider shall be
responsible for full compliance with EEC’s transportation
laws/policies, regardless of how transportation is provided.
Policy and Research Committee Input:
Some committee members suggested that provider
responsibility should be determined based upon type of
care provided, i.e. a family child care provider associated
with a Family Child Care System should not be responsible
for assuming responsibility for a child during transport.
Next Step:
 Requires regulation amendment to clarify EEC Licensed
Provider’s responsibility for a child during transport and
transition to and from the program whenever the
transportation is owned or contracted by the Provider.
Vehicle Monitoring:
All Transportation Providers shall ensure that vehicles designed to
transport 6+ children shall be equipped with approved electronic vehicle
monitoring devices that prompt staff to inspect. Vehicle monitoring
devices are not required for vehicles that carry an assigned monitor,
that only transport school aged children, unless the children are
developmentally or physically disabled or on vehicles that are only used
for occasional field trips or other similar trips.
Department’s Recommendations:
 When 4 or more children are transported by a Transportation
Provider, an electronic vehicle monitoring device is required in the
vehicle.
 EEC would have to assume cost of this mandate unless the daily
transportation rate is increased.
Relevant Information:
2010 –
49 children under age of 14 died of hyperthermiarelated injuries when left in vehicles; half were
forgotten on way to child care (not differentiated as
by parent or by other driver)
July, 2011 –
21 children under age of 14 died of hyperthermiarelated injuries
(Source: San Francisco State University, Department of Geosciences)
July 28, 2011 - National Highway Transportation Safety Association
began series of roundtable meetings with key stakeholders to raise awareness and to propose strategies
to address these types of incidents; Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia and Ohio State University
working on joint research to determine effectiveness of
various devices, including electronic vehicle monitoring
devices, are effective. Final Report due by 12/31/11
Additional Steps:

Department has contacted MA Department of Transportation
and Registry of Motor Vehicles to ensure alignment with 7D
vehicle regulations and impact of such a requirement, if any, on
these agencies.
Window Tinting:
All Transportation Providers shall ensure that vehicles that
transport children do not have window tinting.
Relevant Regulation: 540 CMR 4.04(8)(g)
Aftermarket tinting or alterations that do not change the
transparency beyond that of the standards set forth in 49
CFR Part 571.205 is acceptable on windows immediately
adjacent to the operator and front passenger seat, the
windows immediately to the rear of the operator and front
passenger seat and the rear window. If the rear window
has any aftermarket tinting or alterations, the vehicle must
be equipped with two outside rear view mirrors.
Department’s Recommendations:
 Require that vehicles that transport child care children comply with the
RMV’s regulations and the federal standards set forth in 49 CFR Part
571.205.
 Work with the RMV and MASSDOT to ensure that window tinting is
enforced during semi-annual inspections. If determined that window
tinting is non-compliant, Transportation Provider is required to remediate
within timeframe established by RMV.

Require all Transportation Providers to annually provide a copy of 7D
inspection for each vehicle transporting children along with VIN,
Registration number, and type of vehicle pending receipt of additional EEC
licensor who would assume this responsibility.
Additional Steps:

Requires alignment with MASSDOT and RMV regulations and
requirements for 7D vehicles and school buses.
Proposed Contract Amendment
and Regulation Promulgation Timetable
Confer with RMV, DOT, and HST for
December, 2011 – January 31, 2012
alignment with existing state regulations,
impact of proposed requirements, and to
determine if EEC can develop additional
process for monitoring vehicles; further review
of proposed Transportation Provider
Performance Standards with these agencies
and with outside stakeholders
Proposed Regulation Amendments brought to
Policy and Research Committee for review;
feedback on Performance Standards brought
to Committee
February 6, 2012
Potential Board Vote on Regulation
Amendments to go to Public Comment
February 14, 2012
Finalization of Performance Standards with
Contract Amendments to Income Eligible
Contract Providers and Priority Population
Contract Providers
March – April, 2012