WATERBURY, Conn. — Prospective school bus drivers in Connecticut must now pass more stringent background checks. The state DMV now requires them to undergo the same scrutiny as teachers, administrators and coaches.

The criteria would prohibit anyone convicted of or arrested for a major crime associated with child abuse and neglect from having the privilege of transporting children in either traditional school buses or other student transportation vehicles.

“I am examining all aspects of this program to ensure that we have the right laws, the right policies and the right procedures to ensure the safety of children who ride those buses and to assure parents that their children’s welfare is our priority,” said Robert M. Ward, the new DMV commissioner.

Additionally, immediate changes were proposed with regard to how cases are scrutinized during hearings on whether someone can drive a school bus. This action follows the commissioner’s review of a critical report detailing many problems in performing background checks and other procedures that are part of licensing school bus drivers.

After reviewing DMV suspension-related hearings from the past two years, it was found that driving privileges were restored in 50 percent of the cases. At the hearings, drivers present their reasons that the state should not suspend their privilege. An independent hearing officer decides whether to restore the privilege or continue the suspension.

The new commissioner proposed stricter standards that will reduce the number of cases restored and will tighten the hearings’ evaluation processes.

Hearing process changes will include:

• Implementing, by directive of the commissioner, the new screening criteria when evaluating cases.

• Requiring DMV officials to present details about a person’s driving record to the hearing officer.

• Having hearing officers list in their “Findings of Fact” all the criminal offenses that appear on the driver’s record.

• Having each driver at the hearing asked under oath whether any arrests, convictions, current suspensions or other similar occurrences have arisen since the time the hearing was requested.

• Requiring at each hearing that the driver take the witness stand so that moral character and fitness can be determined by answers to questions from the hearing officer and lawyers representing the DMV.

• Reasoning should be consistent. In addition, penalties must be consistently applied. A review of decisions has found inconsistencies.

   

  In other department reorganization, DMV Deputy Commissioner John Herman has been appointed to permanently oversee the Public Service Transportation Unit. A state police captain, Herman has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement.

  The Public Service Transportation Unit reviews the fitness and other qualifications of both applicants and current holders of license endorsements to drive school buses and other school transportation vehicles. It also issues orders of suspension when either an applicant or driver fails to meet state standards.

  “I think this kind of top-down scrutiny by our deputy commissioner will bring fresh eyes, new insight, frequent checks on how things are working and immediate solutions to any problems,” Ward said.