New Jersey Senate passes bill to strengthen school bus safety for students with disabilities
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco that would strengthen school bus safety requirements and emergency response protocols for students with disabilities.
The bill, S-2456, would require school bus drivers and school bus aides responsible for student safety to call 911 in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency on a school bus and report the incident to the New Jersey Department of Education.
The legislation also expands training requirements for school bus drivers and aides to include recognizing behaviors and other signs that may indicate a potential life-threatening emergency involving students with disabilities.
“Parents deserve peace of mind knowing their children are safe while traveling to and from school but unfortunately, we have seen heartbreaking incidents in New Jersey where too many families have suffered because warning signs were missed or not handled correctly,” said Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris and Passaic. “This legislation makes it clear that emergencies on school buses must be treated seriously and that the adults responsible for students are prepared to respond when something goes wrong.”
Under the bill, certain school buses transporting students with disabilities also would be required to be equipped with interior cameras, real-time GPS tracking and two-way communication equipment.
The measure appropriates state funding through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to help school districts and school bus contractors purchase and install the required safety equipment.
The bill now advances for further consideration in the New Jersey Legislature.
