This bill requires school districts or contracted transportation providers in New Jersey to maintain at least one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on any bus transporting such students, including mixed buses with general education students. It defines "special needs" as students eligible for special education services under federal law, excluding those classified solely for "specific learning disability." The requirement applies immediately upon enactment and takes effect for the first full school year after the bill becomes law. The bill directly affects school transportation providers and ensures consistent aide staffing for students requiring specialized support during bus transit.
This bill (A 3688) expands school transportation eligibility for nonpublic school students in New Jersey. It requires school districts to provide transportation or a $675 annual reimbursement (adjusted for inflation) to students attending nonpublic schools located **within the same county** as their residence, regardless of distance. This replaces the previous rule that limited coverage to schools within 20 miles. The bill repeals outdated language (P.L.1999, c.350) that mandated the 20-mile restriction. It directly affects parents/guardians of nonpublic school students in districts providing transportation for public school students living more than 2 miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from school.
This bill allows school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) during school transportation under specific conditions. It requires parental written consent, a physician’s written order confirming the need for epinephrine, and the driver’s completion of standardized training. School bus drivers must volunteer for this role, and parents must sign liability waivers acknowledging the school district, driver, and contractor are protected from claims arising from good-faith administration. The policy directly affects students with severe allergies and their families, while providing legal protection for schools and drivers acting in compliance with the requirements.
This bill requires school buses transporting students with disabilities (and all school buses) to display specific information on their rear, including a school bus identification number, telephone number, website address, and other identifying details in contrasting color. The information must be displayed via a sticker designed by the Motor Vehicle Commission, allowing the public to report driver misconduct to authorities. Failure to display this information results in escalating fines ($250, $500, or $1,000 plus disqualification for repeated violations). The bill applies to all school bus operators - including school districts, nonpublic schools, and contractors - and mandates that reports of misconduct be logged, reviewed within 10 days, and investigated by the Division of State Police and Department of Education.
This bill exempts fuel used to operate school buses for transporting students to and from school or school activities from two state taxes: the petroleum products gross receipts tax and the motor fuel tax. It specifically applies to school buses operated by public school districts, religious or charitable organizations, or contractors working with government agencies. The bill also clarifies how certain dyed fuel (used for non-highway purposes) is taxed and updates rules for determining taxable estates of some residents. These changes directly affect school districts, nonprofit organizations, and contractors managing student transportation services in New Jersey.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide bus transportation to public and nonpublic school students living within the standard distance limits (2 miles for elementary, 2.5 miles for secondary) but along routes designated as "hazardous" by the state. It establishes a process where the state transportation official, with input from police and education leaders, defines and designates hazardous routes based on specific safety criteria like traffic volume, road conditions, and pedestrian infrastructure. School districts must then provide transportation for students on these designated routes, and the state will annually review route designations to ensure they remain accurate. The policy directly affects students living near unsafe walking paths and school districts responsible for providing this transportation.
This bill provides additional state aid to New Jersey school districts that meet three specific criteria related to nonpublic school student transportation costs. Districts qualify if they saw over a 100% increase in eligible students over five years, experienced a 20%+ cost jump in one year, and allocated at least 20% of their transportation budget to nonpublic students in 2023-2024. Qualifying districts receive 100% reimbursement for transportation costs for regular education nonpublic school pupils. The bill directly affects districts facing exceptional demographic shifts that strain their transportation budgets, aiming to support constitutionally required educational funding. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location and speed, and two-way communication equipment. It specifies that video footage and GPS data collected under this law are not considered government records, and the State Board of Education must create rules for equipment installation, data use, and video retention periods. The law directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs, aiming to enhance safety and communication during transportation. It also mandates that drivers follow existing laws prohibiting phone use while driving. The bill takes effect six months after enactment, with administrative actions allowed in advance for implementation.
This bill (S 769) upgrades the criminal mischief offense when someone damages or impairs a school bus while children under 16 are present. Specifically, it makes damaging a school bus in front of a child under 16 a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), and if that damage causes bodily injury to a child, it becomes a third-degree crime (3-5 years in jail or $15,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally or recklessly interfere with school bus operations near children. It defines "school bus" as vehicles transporting children to school, complying with New Jersey’s motor vehicle regulations.
S 1147 requires the New Jersey Department of Education to reimburse school bus drivers in eligible public school districts for the cost of obtaining a commercial driver license (CDL) and required endorsements. This applies only to drivers working for districts that own and operate their own school buses (not using contractors), provided they maintain their CDL, complete required training, and commit to five years of employment. If a driver leaves before five years, they must repay the reimbursement prorated: 100% if employed less than three years, or 50% if employed four years. The bill aims to reduce upfront costs for drivers while ensuring long-term service from districts that manage their own transportation.
