This bill mandates that school bus personnel, including drivers and aides, must call 911 in the event of a potential life-threatening emergency involving students, particularly those with disabilities. It requires that all school buses transporting these students be equipped with specific safety features, including a video camera, a global positioning system (GPS), and two-way communication equipment. The bill emphasizes comprehensive training programs for school bus personnel, which must cover emergency procedures, student management, and recognizing behaviors that may indicate a life-threatening situation. This training must be administered twice a year, and personnel are required to certify their completion.

Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for non-compliance with the emergency call requirement, with escalating fines for repeated offenses. It establishes a framework for parents or guardians to file complaints against personnel who violate these provisions, ensuring that the Department of Education investigates such complaints. The bill also updates existing laws to include school bus aides and other personnel under the same training and compliance requirements as drivers, thereby enhancing the overall safety and preparedness of school transportation services. Furthermore, it allows the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to inspect the required equipment during school bus inspections and provides funding opportunities for boards of education and transportation contractors to purchase and install the necessary equipment.

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