b. Notwithstanding any statute or regulation to the contrary, any board of education, governing body of a nonpublic school or State agency may authorize a person certified as a mobility assistance vehicle technician to transport a student with medical needs to and from school or related school activities in a mobility assistance vehicle. Any certified mobility assistance vehicle technician authorized by a board, body or agency to provide such transportation services shall not be required to be licensed or regulated as a school bus driver. Such transportation shall be exempt from all registration, equipment, inspection and maintenance requirements imposed on the transportation of students by a school bus. Each year prior to transporting students, a certified mobility assistance vehicle technician who transports a student with medical needs in accordance with this section shall furnish to the executive county superintendent a criminal history background check and evidence of a check for the technician's record of alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations.
For the purposes of this subsection, "student with medical needs," means a school-aged child who suffers from a life-threatening medical condition, and as a result of such condition, requires more individualized and continuous care.