Section 71.2. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

CRNP—Certified registered nurse practitioner—A registered nurse licensed in this Commonwealth who is certified by the State Board of Nursing in a particular clinical specialty area and who, while functioning in the expanded role as a professional nurse, performs acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth.

Chiropractor—A practitioner of chiropractic as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1508.1(b) (relating to physical examinations).

Department—The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.

Driver’s examination—An examination to establish the ability of a person to drive, maneuver and control a school bus with safety and knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to the operation of school buses.

HbA1C test—A Hemoglobin A1C test monitors the long-term control of diabetes mellitus.

Health care provider—A licensed physician, a CRNP, a physician assistant or a licensed psychologist, as described in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1519 (relating to determination of incompetency).

Hyperglycemia—When the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high based on current guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association.

Hypoglycemic reactions—Different degrees of hypoglycemia which are classified as follows:

Mild—Hypoglycemia that signals a blood glucose drop, which the individual can self-correct with oral carbohydrates.

Severe—Hypoglycemia that requires outside intervention or assistance of others or that produces confusion, loss of attention or a loss of consciousness.

Physical examination—An examination, including an eye examination, given to determine the physical and mental fitness of a person to drive a school bus safely.

Physician—A licensed physician as defined in § 83.2 (relating to definitions).

Physician assistant—A person certified by the State Board of Medicine to assist a physician or group of physicians in the provision of medical care and services and under the supervision and direction of the physician or group of physicians.

Pupil Transportation Section—The Pupil Transportation Section of the Bureau of Driver Licensing of the Department.

S endorsement—An endorsement which is added to a commercial driver’s license and which authorizes the driver to operate a school bus.

School bus driver—A person who drives a school bus as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) or Chapter 171 (relating to school buses and school vehicles) except an owner or employee of an official inspection station driving the vehicle for the purpose of inspection.

School transportation medical practitioner—A licensed physician, physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner or chiropractor appointed or approved by a school board, or by the authorities responsible for operation of a private or parochial school. The same person may be appointed or approved as both school transportation medical practitioner and school medical practitioner.

Symptomatic hyperglycemia—High glucose levels in the blood that have caused a loss of consciousness or an altered state of perception, including, but not limited to, decreased reaction time, impaired vision or hearing, or both, or confusion.

Type I Diabetes mellitus—A chronic disease caused by the pancreas producing too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

Type II Diabetes mellitus—A chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood caused by the body failing to respond correctly to natural insulin.

The provisions of this § 71.2 adopted September 23, 1977, effective September 24, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2702; amended August 10, 1979, effective August 11, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 2638; amended May 10, 1985, effective May 11, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 1750; readopted May 11, 1990, effective immediately and apply retroactively to May 11, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2524; amended January 13, 1995, effective January 14, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 160; amended January 23, 1998, effective January 24, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 364; amended August 24, 2007, effective August 25, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 4621; amended October 8, 2010, effective October 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 5809. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (349366) to (329367).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 71.2 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 1504(c), 1508, 1508.1, 1509 and 6103.