285.200.  Ride-sharing arrangement, defined — liability for injury to participants — special taxes prohibited — travel time as work hours — use of government vehicles — registration of vehicle — license plates. — 1.  The term "ride-sharing arrangement" means an arrangement whereby a fixed group is transported in a vanpool between their places of abode or a terminal near such places, and their places of employment in a single daily round trip when the driver is also on the way to or from his place of employment.

  2.  Chapter 287 providing compensation for workers injured during the course of their employment shall not apply to a person injured while participating in a ride-sharing arrangement between his place of residence and place of employment or terminal near such places unless the employer owns, leases or contracts for the motor vehicle used in such arrangement.

  3.  An employer shall not be liable for injuries to passengers and other persons resulting from the operation or use of a motor vehicle, not owned, leased or contracted for by the employer, in a ride-sharing arrangement.

  4.  An employer shall not be liable for injuries to passengers and other persons because he provides information, incentives or otherwise encourages his employees to participate in ride-sharing arrangements.

  5.  No county or municipality shall impose a special tax specifically applicable solely to a motor vehicle used in a ride-sharing arrangement.

  6.  Transportation to and from work in an employer-sponsored ride-sharing arrangement shall not constitute any part of the employee's work hours unless otherwise agreed to by the employer.

  7.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, motor vehicles owned or operated by any state or local agency may be used in ride-sharing arrangements for public employees.  Participants in any such ride-sharing arrangement shall be required to pay a fee to reimburse the state or local agency for the cost of vehicle acquisition, operation, depreciation and insurance costs.

  8.  The director of revenue shall issue a distinctive vanpool license plate for vehicles registered as vanpools under the provisions of section 301.066.  All vehicles used in a ride-sharing arrangement shall be registered as a vanpool vehicle and bear the distinctive vanpool plate, except for motor vehicles owned or operated by a state or local agency.