New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 9 - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Part 4 - CHILD CARE LICENSING; CHILD CARE CENTERS, OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, AND OTHER EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Section 8.9.4.28 - TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CENTERS

Universal Citation: 8 NM Admin Code 8.9.4.28

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. When a center provides transportation to children, it is responsible for the care of children from the time of pick up to delivery to a responsible adult. All vehicles used for transportation of children will have an operable fully-charged fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, first-aid manual, water and blanket.

B. A center will license all vehicles used for transporting children and will meet all applicable state vehicle laws. A child shall be transported only if the child is properly secured in a child passenger restraint device or by a safety belt as follows. School buses that are not equipped with passenger restraint devices are exempt from this requirement.

(1) Children less than one year of age shall be properly secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards, in the rear seat of a vehicle that is equipped with a rear seat. If the vehicle is not equipped with a rear seat, the child may ride in the front seat of the vehicle if the passenger-side air bag is deactivated or if the vehicle is not equipped with a deactivation switch for the passenger-side air bag.

(2) Children one year of age through four years of age, regardless of weight, or children who weigh forty pounds, regardless of age, shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards.

(3) Children five years of age through six years of age, regardless of weight, or children who weigh less than 60 pounds, regardless of age, shall be properly secured in either a child booster seat or an appropriate child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards.

(4) Children seven years of age through 12 years of age shall be secured in a child passenger restraint device or by a seat belt.

C. Vehicles used for transporting children will be enclosed and properly maintained. Vehicles shall be cleaned and inspected inside and out.

D. Vehicles operated by the center to transport children shall be air-conditioned whenever the outside air temperature exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit. If the outside air temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit the center will ensure the vehicle is heated.

E. A center will load and unload children at the curbside of the vehicle or in a protected parking area or driveway. The center will ensure children do not cross a street unsupervised after leaving the vehicle.

F. No one will smoke, use e-cigarettes or vaporizers in a vehicle used for transporting children.

G. A second adult will accompany the driver of the vehicle when a center transports five or more children under age five years.

H. Children may be transported only in vehicles that have current registration and insurance coverage. All drivers must have current driver's license and comply with motor vehicle and traffic laws. Persons who have been convicted in the last seven years of a misdemeanor or felony DWI/DUI cannot transport children under the auspices of a licensed facility/program.

I. At least one adult transporting children, shall be currently certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with a pediatric component.

J. At all times, drivers will have a way to communicate to the facility the number of children being transported. Drivers will maintain a log to include the name of child, drop off and pick up times of all children being transported. The log will be kept for a minimum of 12 months for review.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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