BILL NUMBER: S3071
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a task
force on safety in school transportation; and providing for the repeal
of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
To promote safety in school transportation by studying existing policies
and recommending necessary changes.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new section 3638 creating
a task force with the purpose of promoting safety in school transporta-
tion.
The task force should consist of seventeen members. Five members
appointed by the governor, five members appointed by the temporary pres-
ident of the senate, and five members appointed by the speaker of the
assembly. Also, it includes the commissioner of education, commissioner
of transportation, and commissioner of motor vehicles. The task force
will review existing state laws, regulations and programs that address
school bus safety, and make recommendations for their improvement. It
will also identify best practices for the designation of school bus
stops, strategies that support safe pedestrian behavior by students
between their homes and their schools and safety protocols to be
followed by school bus drivers and school bus aides. Finally, it will
develop recommendations to curb illegal passing of school busses and
determine if there is a need for additional public education programs
that promote school bus safety.
Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The task force
shall present a report of its findings and recommendations to the gover-
nor and to the legislature no later than December 31, 2024.
Section 2 of the bill provides that the act shall take effect immediate-
ly.
 
EXISTING LAW:
None
 
JUSTIFICATION:
School transportation safety is an often overlooked issue that needs to
be studied and improved. In January 2016, an elementary school principal
was killed saving lives of her students as a school bus barreled towards
them. Recently, a first grade student in New Jersey was killed after
being struck by a school bus. These are just two examples. It is imper-
ative to ensure students are safe when not under the supervision of
their parents and guardians, as well as to protect bus drivers and
school officials entrusted with their care.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2016: S.6687-A REFERRED TO EDUCATION
2016: A.9355-A referred to education
2017-18: S.4683 REFERRED TO EDUCATION
2017-18: A.1083 referred to education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.