NEW JERSEY – The Senate Education Committee has passed Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco’s (R-25) bill aimed at ensuring safe transportation for students with disabilities. The bill includes the following provisions:
- School bus personnel who work with students with disabilities must call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies.
- Boards of education and school bus contractors must provide training on school bus safety and how to interact with students with disabilities.
- School buses that transport students with disabilities must be equipped with video cameras, communication equipment, and a global positioning system (GPS).
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, especially those with disabilities, is of utmost importance,” said Bucco. “This legislation is a critical step in making sure school bus personnel are properly equipped to respond swiftly in life-threatening situations and that our students and their families have peace of mind knowing help will be on the way when it’s needed most. I am proud to see this bill move forward, and I remain committed to making New Jersey’s schools safer for all students.”
“Our son, Matthew, was the epitome of courage and perseverance,” said Anabela Rossi, mother of Matthew Rossi. “His example is the inspiration behind this bill, which represents an important first step in implementing basic, common-sense safeguards that our most vulnerable students deserve. This bill also establishes accountability for the personnel entrusted with their lives. We believe this legislation will benefit special education students for generations to come, positively impacting society, and will forever be a part of Matthew’s lasting legacy. We thank Senator Bucco, Senator Diegnan, Disability Ombudsman Paul Aronsohn, and the other legislators who made this bill a reality. It’s time for student transportation to be viewed as equally important and treated with the same safety measures as those provided to all students while on school grounds.”
Sen. Bucco provided testimony during the committee meeting to thank the families who shared their experiences that led to this bill and to reinforce the severe importance of this legislation.
