ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1773

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JANUARY 17, 2019

 

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1773 (1R).

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1773 (1R) requires an agency, board of education, nonpublic school, or school bus contractor that operates school buses to display a telephone number, website address, or other identifying information that would allow the public to report a bus driver’s misconduct to the board of education or nonpublic school for which the school bus provides transportation.  The amended bill requires a school bus operator to display this information across the rear of the school bus and use lettering of a color that contrasts with the color of the school bus.

      The bill requires the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Superintendent of the Division of State Police, to promulgate regulations that establish: the appropriate board of education or nonpublic school official or designee to address and respond to a complaint of school bus driver misconduct; the appropriate actions which a board of education or nonpublic school may take to respond to a complaint of school bus driver misconduct; and the time period during which a board of education or nonpublic school may act to respond to a complaint of school bus driver misconduct.  The bill is to take effect immediately and be applicable to the next school year beginning after July 1st.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1773 (1R) is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4031 which was amended and also reported by the committee on this date.