This bill mandates that school bus personnel 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 also stipulates that school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel must receive comprehensive training on emergency procedures, including recognizing signs of potential emergencies, with training administered twice a year. Additionally, it introduces penalties for school bus personnel who fail to comply with these emergency protocols and establishes a process for parents or guardians to file complaints against personnel who do not adhere to these requirements.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to expand the definition of "employer" to include school bus aides and other personnel responsible for student safety. It establishes a framework for training programs developed by the Commissioner of Education, which must include procedures for interacting with students with disabilities. The bill also mandates that any video footage and GPS data collected must be retained for at least 180 days and allows boards of education and transportation contractors to apply for funding from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) to purchase and install the necessary equipment. The chief administrator of the NJ MVC will oversee the enforcement of these provisions, including the inspection of school buses to ensure compliance with the new safety equipment requirements, ultimately aiming to enhance the safety and emergency preparedness of school transportation services for students with disabilities.

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