1300.1301.13 · Violation

Any vehicles designed or used to transport more than seven (7) passengers and one (1) driver must have approved child safety alarm devices installed. These devices must be properly maintained in working order at all times. Vehicles in service at licensed facilities prior to July 1, 2005 shall have the alarm installed by a qualified technician or mechanic no later than December 31, 2005. On or after July 1, 2005 all vehicles at newly licensed facilities and newly acquired vehicles at existing facilities shall have a child safety alarm installed before placing the vehicle in service. The Child Care Licensing Unit shall maintain a list of approved alarm systems. Clarification – • The alarm system shall be installed so that the driver must walk to the very back of the vehicle to reach the switch that deactivates the alarm. Alarm switches installed in locations that do not require the driver to walk to the back of the vehicle and view all seating areas will not be acceptable. • The alarm system may be installed by any certified technician or mechanic employed by a recognized electronics or automotive business in accordance with the device's manufacturer’s recommendations. • The time delay from activation of the alarm until the alarm sounds shall be no longer than one (1) minute. Any of the following three (3) options are acceptable to meet the intent of Act 1979 when participants are being delivered at the facility. Other options must be approved by the Licensing Unit. Options 1. Unload all of the participants, walk through the vehicle to ensure that no participants remain on board, and deactivate the alarm. (This option will only work if you are able to unload all participants in less than one (1) minute.) 2. Upon arrival, have one staff member immediately walk through the vehicle to deactivate the alarm system. That staff member will remain near the alarm switch at the back of the vehicle until all participants have been unloaded to ensure that no participant is left on board. (This option will require at least two (2) staff members, one (1) to supervise the participants and one (1) to remain inside the 3. Upon arrival, deactivate the alarm and unload the participants. Immediately after unloading, start the vehicle and move it to a different location for final parking. (This will reactivate the alarm and require a final walk through.)