This bill (A4228) requires the New Jersey State to reimburse school districts for the costs of transporting homeless students to school. Currently, the student's district of residence pays these transportation costs, but this bill shifts that responsibility to the state. It amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.290 and P.L.2015, c.228) to specify that the State must reimburse districts for transportation provided to homeless students. The change directly affects all school districts in New Jersey that transport homeless students, ensuring they are financially supported for this cost.
This bill provides $3.5 million in supplemental state funding specifically to the Freehold Regional School District to maintain its courtesy busing transportation services. The district had planned to eliminate these services (which serve about 30% of students living under 2.5 miles from school) due to prior state aid reductions totaling approximately $20 million since 2019. The funding prevents the loss of this essential service, which students rely on because of hazardous walking conditions and lack of sidewalks in the district. This direct aid supports over 10,000 students across eight communities who currently benefit from the transportation.
This bill requires certain school staff, school bus drivers, and youth camp employees to undergo child abuse record checks through New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. Candidates and current employees in these roles must provide written consent and pay for the check, which will be conducted alongside existing criminal history checks. If the check reveals a substantiated child abuse allegation, the individual is permanently disqualified from these positions. The bill also guarantees individuals a chance to challenge any inaccurate information that would lead to disqualification.
This bill requires certain New Jersey school districts (specifically those in second-class cities ordered by the Supreme Court to address segregation) to provide transportation - such as bus services or equivalent assistance - to elementary students living more than 2 miles and secondary students living more than 2.5 miles from their chosen school. Sending districts (the districts students attend from) receive state transportation funding, which they must pay directly to the choice district. If the choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed this state funding, it can receive supplemental state aid after demonstrating cost-efficient routing (like centralized pick-ups). The choice district must annually report cost differences to the Department of Education for reimbursement.
This bill lowers the mandatory school transportation mileage thresholds in New Jersey: elementary students living more than 1.5 miles from school and secondary students living more than 1.5 miles must now qualify for district-provided transportation (down from 2 miles and 2.5 miles, respectively). It allows school districts to optionally provide transportation for students living closer than these new limits, with parents potentially paying costs. Parents may also formally waive transportation services for the school year, though districts must create hardship policies for affected families. The bill includes a cost cap of $675 annually (adjusted for inflation) for transportation to nonpublic schools within 20 miles, with districts covering costs if bids stay under this limit.
This bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel transporting students with disabilities to complete specialized training. The training covers behavior management, communication, adaptive equipment use, recognizing life-threatening emergencies (as defined in the bill), and safety procedures. Employers (school districts or contractors) must provide this training annually and require staff to certify completion within five business days. The bill does not mandate 911 calls or specific bus safety features, but focuses on personnel preparedness through training and certification. It is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.
This bill requires New Jersey school boards to award transportation contracts for students with disabilities (specifically those with "special transportation requirements" under state law) to the most appropriate provider - not necessarily the lowest bidder. It mandates a pre-contract meeting involving parents, the transportation bidder, the student's case manager, and school representatives to discuss the student's individualized education program (IEP) needs. The board must consider the meeting's outcome when selecting a provider and cannot award a contract to a bidder unable to meet the student's specific transportation needs. This changes current practice, which typically requires awarding contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.
This bill requires New Jersey counties and municipalities to build and maintain sidewalks within a two-mile radius of elementary public schools and a 2.5-mile radius of secondary public schools, specifically on streets used by students that are deemed hazardous under existing safety criteria. It allows local governments to fund these sidewalks using permit fees, donations, grants, or other available funds. The law applies to all public schools (including those partially funded by state/local sources) and takes effect immediately. It directly affects school districts, local infrastructure planning, and students walking to school along designated routes.
This bill requires school districts to include transportation considerations in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities who receive transportation services. Specifically, IEP teams must address students' medical, behavioral, and equipment needs during transportation planning, and must include the school district's director of transportation at all IEP meetings (unless parents consent otherwise or no transportation is needed). It also mandates that IEP teams, with parent input, complete a "student information card" detailing transportation needs, which must be kept with the IEP and accessible on the school bus to all drivers and aides. This directly affects students with disabilities receiving transportation, their families, school districts, and bus personnel.
This New Jersey bill (A1539, "Safe Mobility Education Act") requires public schools to teach pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety to all students in grades K-12. It mandates the State Board of Education to update curriculum standards to include age-appropriate lessons on topics like bike safety rules, helmet use, visibility gear, legal responsibilities, and consequences of traffic violations. School districts must implement this curriculum starting in the first full school year after the standards are updated, and teachers must complete a required professional development module on the topic. The bill directly affects New Jersey public school students, educators, and school districts through mandatory curriculum changes.
