Rule 24-2-13.7 - Transportation of People Receiving ServicesThe interior and exterior of each vehicle must be maintained in a safe and sanitary manner. Vehicles must be kept clean, well-kept and in good repair. Agency providers providing transportation in agency provider vehicles to people receiving services must meet the following criteria:
A. All vehicles and drivers must comply with the applicable laws of Mississippi regarding motor vehicle operation, licensure, maintenance, and be kept in good repair.B. When transporting people receiving services, the following employee to person ratios apply only for the stated populations below:1. When transporting children age zero to six (0-6) years, the employee ratio in addition to the driver must be one (1) employee to five (5) children and one (1) employee to three (3) children when more than three (3) are infants or toddlers (0-24 months).2. When transporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, there must be adequate personnel to meet the needs of people being transported.C. The vehicle must have a securely mounted/fixed fire extinguisher with proof of annual inspection, flares or reflectors, a flashlight, and first aid kit which contains the following: gloves, adhesive bandages, gauze, first aid tape, sterile pads, antiseptic wipes, and a first aid booklet. All items must be current.D. All vehicles must have liability insurance unless otherwise authorized by state law. Proof of insurance must be kept in the vehicle.E. All vehicles must be equipped with a secure, operable seat belt for each passenger transported. Children must be seated in approved safety seats with proper restraint in accordance with state law.F. Agency providers that provide transportation must have policies and procedures in place to protect the safety and well-being of people being transported. Policies and procedures must address, at a minimum: 1. Accessibility based on the person's needs and reasonable requests.2. Accounting of people entering and exiting the agency provider/service vehicle. This must be made available for review.3. Availability of communication devices (i.e., cell phones, two (2)-way radios, etc.)4. Availability of a vehicle maintenance log for all vehicles used to provide transportation.5. Course of action when employees are unable to leave people at home or an alternate service location as specified by family/legal representative that ensures the safety of people at all times.6. Availability of additional employees to assist with transportation if the needs of the people being transported warrant additional employee assistance. G. For IDD Services, transportation provided in private vehicles must adhere to Rule 13.7.F with the exclusion of Rule 13.7.F.2 accounting of people entering and exiting vehicle and Rule 13.7.F.4 in regard to maintenance log. Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended