This bill mandates the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Transportation, to create specific criteria for school districts to identify hazardous routes for students who are not remote and require courtesy busing. The criteria include factors such as traffic volume thresholds during school arrival or dismissal periods, the presence of safe walking areas, and specific dangerous crossings, such as at-grade railroad crossings or limited-access highways. Additionally, the bill allows for consideration of other safety-related factors, including environmental and social conditions, and sets stricter criteria for younger students and those in urban settings.

Furthermore, the bill requires school districts to submit a joint certification with the responsible road entity to designate a route as hazardous, following the established criteria. The State Board of Education will develop regulations for the certification process, including documentation protocols and dispute resolution procedures. The bill also introduces categorical State aid for students using courtesy busing along designated hazardous routes, with the Commissioner determining the per pupil aid amount, which will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Notably, the bill repeals a previous law that provided broader criteria for hazardous route designation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:39-1.5