2026 Minnesota Statutes

142H.33 TRANSPORTATION AND FIELD TRIP REQUIREMENTS.

Subdivision 1.Requirements.

A license holder that provides transportation for children or that takes children off site must comply with the requirements in this section.

Subd. 2.Driver requirements.

(a) A driver who transports children for a license holder must:

(1) be at least 18 years old;

(2) hold a current and valid driver's license appropriate to the vehicle used to transport children;

(3) have a copy of the driver's current driver's license on file at the center;

(4) be free from the influence of any substance that could impair driving abilities; and

(5) follow seat belt and child passenger restraint system requirements under sections 169.685 and 169.686.

(b) Parents who are not employed by the center who use personal vehicles for transportation to occasional field trips do not have to meet the requirements of paragraph (a), clause (3). For the purposes of this subdivision, "occasional" means three or fewer times per calendar year.

Subd. 3.Requirements during transportation.

(a) One program staff is required per vehicle when transporting school-age children. Two program staff are required per vehicle when transporting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. An additional program staff person is required in the vehicle if there are 12 or more infants and toddlers. The driver of the vehicle is considered a program staff person, unless the driver is employed by a contractor or third party.

(b) A two-way communication system and first aid kit must be present in the vehicle during transportation.

(c) Once children have exited, the vehicle must be checked to ensure that no child has been left in the vehicle.

(d) When the license holder provides transportation to and from the center, children must not be transported more than one hour per one-way trip.

(e) When children board or exit the vehicle, the license holder must ensure that each child safely boards and exits the vehicle from the curb side of the street whenever physically possible and out of the path of moving vehicles.

(f) Drop off or pick up must be conducted in a safe manner with supervision by the program staff responsible for the child.

Subd. 4.Field trip requirements.

(a) For the purposes of this section, a field trip is defined as any time the center takes children off the property, including routine outings such as walking around the neighborhood. A center providing transportation for children to and from the center is not considered a field trip.

(b) Staff-to-child ratios must be maintained on all field trips.

(c) Written permission must be obtained from each child's parent before taking a child on a field trip. The written permission form must be obtained before each field trip or on a form that yearly summarizes all field trips that will be taken. The permission forms must be kept on file at the center.

(d) The parent's written permission form must include:

(1) the date and destination of the field trip;

(2) the times of departure from and return to the facility;

(3) the method of transportation; and

(4) if the method of transportation is walking, an estimated total distance of the walk.

(e) Unscheduled neighborhood walks may be taken, provided the program has obtained advance written parental permission for the general plan for neighborhood walks.

(f) A child care program that includes daily or regular off-site outdoor activities in its child care program plan may use an annual permission form for these activities. Parents must be informed of specific destinations and any substantial changes to the general plan outlined in the annual permission form through the child care program's regular communication methods. The annual permission form must include the following information:

(1) the general geographic area or areas where the off-site outdoor activities will occur;

(2) the general hours during which off-site activities may occur;

(3) the typical method of transportation; and

(4) the typical maximum distance of walks, if the method of transportation is walking.

(g) When centers take children on a walk or field trip, program staff must bring:

(1) a first aid kit as required under section 142H.29, subdivision 9;

(2) a child's allergy information as required under section 142H.15, including the individual child care program plan;

(3) the name and telephone number of each child's parent and at least one emergency contact person;

(4) medication and supplies needed for a child who has a health condition that could need medication, special procedures, or precautions during the course of the trip; and

(5) a working cell phone or other means of immediate communication.

History:

2019 c 9 art 2 s 42,52; 2024 c 80 art 2 s 74; 2024 c 115 art 16 s 41; 2026 c 127 art 12 s 34

NOTE: This chapter, as added by Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 12, sections 1 to 37, is effective July 1, 2027. Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 12, section 41.