This bill establishes regulations for the operation of Type S school buses, which are defined as motor vehicles used for transporting students to and from educational institutions and school-related activities, with specific weight and seating capacity criteria. It allows individuals holding a Type S school bus certificate to operate these vehicles without needing a commercial driver license or additional endorsements, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements, including age, driving experience, and completion of relevant training programs. The bill also outlines the responsibilities and legal implications for drivers, including penalties for operating a Type S school bus while their driving privileges are suspended or revoked.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a driver leaves a pupil on a Type S school bus at the end of a route, their certificate may be suspended for six months for a first offense or permanently revoked for a second offense. If a pupil is harmed due to the driver's gross negligence, the certificate will also be permanently revoked. The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is tasked with enforcing these regulations, including suspending certificates for drivers who accumulate a certain number of moving violations. The bill also mandates that the Commissioner of Education be notified of any suspensions, ensuring that employers are informed and can take appropriate action regarding the employment of affected drivers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:40-26.1, 18A:39-19.5, 18A:39-29, 18A:39-30, 39:3-10.1