This bill mandates that all school buses transporting students with special needs be equipped with specific safety features, including an interior video camera, a global positioning system (GPS) for real-time location and speed tracking, and two-way communications equipment. It also stipulates that school bus drivers must adhere to existing laws that prohibit the use of cellular or wireless telephones while driving. Additionally, any video footage and GPS data collected from these systems will not be classified as government records, ensuring privacy and security for the students.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, is tasked with developing rules and regulations regarding the installation and use of these safety features, as well as guidelines for the retention of video footage. This legislation is inspired by a specific incident involving a non-verbal special needs student who experienced distress due to a bus driver getting lost, highlighting the need for improved safety measures to prevent similar situations in the future.