TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco’s (R-25) bill that would help ensure safe transportation for students with disabilities by requiring:
- School bus personnel who work with students with disabilities to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies
- Boards of education and school bus contractors to provide training related to school bus safety and interacting with students with disabilities
- A school bus that transports one or more students with disabilities with special transportation requirements to be equipped with video camera and communications equipment and a global positioning system (GPS)
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, especially the most vulnerable, is of utmost importance,” said Bucco. “This legislation is a critical step in making sure that school bus personnel are properly equipped to respond swiftly in life-threatening situations and providing our students and their families with the peace of mind that 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 a safer place for all students.”
“Our son, Matthew, was the epitome of courage and perseverance,” said Anabela Rossi, mother of Matthew Rossi. “His example is our inspiration for the efforts on this bill, which is an important first step in basic, common-sense safeguards, that our most vulnerable students deserve, and establishes accountability by the personnel we entrust their precious lives to. We believe this legislation will benefit the lives of special education students for generations to come, positively impacting our society, and forever be a part of Matthew’s lasting legacy. Thank you to Senator Bucco, Senator Diegnan, Disability Ombudsman Paul Aronsohn, and the rest of the legislators who made this bill a reality—it’s time that student transportation be viewed as, and treated with equal priority and safety measures, as provided to all students while they are on school grounds.”
Sen. Bucco provided testimony during the committee hearing to thank the families who shared their experiences that led to this bill and to reinforce the severe importance of this legislation.
