This bill enhances the safety protocols for school buses transporting students with disabilities by mandating that personnel must call 911 in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency and report the incident to the Office of Special Education. It expands training requirements to include all individuals working on these buses, ensuring they are equipped to handle emergencies and understand the specific needs of students with disabilities. The bill also establishes a complaint process for parents or guardians who believe emergency protocols were not followed and imposes civil penalties on personnel who fail to comply with these requirements.

Additionally, the legislation requires that school buses be equipped with safety technology, such as interior video cameras, GPS for real-time tracking, and two-way communication equipment. It mandates that any video footage and GPS data collected must be retained for at least 180 days. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will inspect this equipment during school bus inspections. The bill also includes provisions for enforcing penalties related to non-compliance with training and emergency notification requirements, as well as updates to existing legal language concerning the enforcement of the School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act.

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