This bill mandates that school bus personnel working with students with disabilities must call 911 in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency and report such calls to the Office of Special Education. It expands training requirements for all school bus personnel, ensuring they are trained in emergency procedures, student management, and the use of adaptive equipment. The bill also introduces penalties for non-compliance with the emergency call requirement, with escalating fines for repeated offenses, and establishes a complaint process for parents or guardians regarding failures to make 911 calls.

Additionally, the bill requires that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety technology, including interior video cameras, GPS, and two-way communication devices, with a mandate to retain any video footage and GPS data for at least 180 days. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is responsible for inspecting this equipment during school bus inspections. Overall, the bill emphasizes accountability and safety for students with disabilities by enhancing training, establishing clear emergency protocols, and ensuring the implementation of necessary safety features on school buses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:39-19.1, 18A:39-19.2, 18A:39-19.3, 39:3B-20, 39:3B-21, 39:3B-22