The board of education of each city, local, or exempted village school district that owns and operates buses for transporting students may contract, in writing, with a public or private not-for-profit agency, group, or organization, with a municipal corporation or other political subdivision or agency of the state, or with an agency of the federal government to operate its buses to assist the agency, group, organization, or political subdivision in the fulfillment of its legitimate activities and in times of emergency. These contracts shall be entered into under the authority of the school district as a political subdivision and shall not be considered commerce. When buses are made available to other agencies, groups, organizations, or political subdivisions under this section, the buses must be operated by individuals holding certificates issued by either the educational service center governing board that has entered into an agreement with the school district under section 3313.843 or 3313.845 of the Revised Code or the superintendent of the school district certifying that the individuals satisfy the requirements of section 3327.10 of the Revised Code. All state board of education regulations governing the operation of school buses when transporting students shall apply when buses are used in accordance with this section.

Any board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district that makes one or more of its vehicles available under this section shall procure liability and property damage insurance, as provided in section 3327.09 of the Revised Code, covering all vehicles used and passengers transported under this section. The board of education may recover expenses from contracting entities, not to exceed the costs of operation and insurance coverage.